Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons who applied in the recent Garda recruitment drive; the breakdown of applications by gender; the number that sat the examination and the number that passed it; the number that were interviewed; the final number of applicants that were accepted; the number that are now in training in Templemore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10796/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that recruitment to the Garda Síochána is carried out by the Public Appointments Service. However, the Garda authorities have informed me that the total number of applications lodged in respect of the recent Garda recruitment competition was 10,601. In addition, 6,989 applicants sat the exam and 3,761 applicants passed the exam. To date, a total of 765 persons have been called for interview. The Garda authorities have not been provided with details of the gender breakdown of applicants for the competition.

The total number of applicants who will be recruited to the Garda Síochána from the current competition will not be known for some time. Recruitment from this and future competitions will proceed in a manner and at sufficient pace to ensure that the Government target of 14,000 members will be achieved within the timescale I have already outlined.

I am further informed that the total number of student gardaí in training under Phase I, II and III of the student-probationer training programme as at 8 April 2005 was 689.