Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if Garda recruits are still required to pay for their uniform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35741/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda recruits do not pay for their uniform. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that student gardaí are informed prior to commencement of training that they are required to purchase items of clothing, footwear and bedding for their own personal use. They are also informed that these items may be purchased at the Garda college at an approximate cost of €400.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of non-nationals who applied to join the Garda Síochána in the recent recruitment drive; the number who fulfil the criteria for recruitment; the breakdown by ethnic groups; when the first trainees will start in Templemore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35738/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The recent recruitment competition which was advertised by the Public Appointments Service in September and October 2005 followed new regulations which I made in September 2005 with the approval of Government to alter the rules governing entry to the Garda Síochána. These changes included clarification on nationality and residence requirements and removed the requirement to hold a qualification in both Irish and English in the leaving certificate or equivalent, in favour of a requirement instead to hold a qualification in two languages, at least one of which must be Irish or English.

Irish society is increasingly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. My changes to the eligibility criteria will open up entry to the Garda Síochána to persons from all of our multi-ethnic and multi-national communities. This is a hugely significant step which will help to ensure that future intakes of recruits to the Garda Síochána reflect the composition of Irish society, to the benefit of the force and the people it serves.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that of the new applications received for this competition 1,345 have voluntarily disclosed that they are of foreign origin, while seven applicants have indicated that they are members of the Traveller community. The number of applicants who fulfil the criteria for recruitment is not yet known. The assessment of eligibility criteria is not completed until after the written examinations which are currently underway. The first recruits to be taken from this recent competition will be included in the second quarterly intake of 275 recruits to the Garda college in 2006 scheduled for the first week of May 2006.