P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 193: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if there are grounds for persons to enter the Gardaí if they have not achieved the leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9860/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is a matter in the first instance for the Public Appointments Service and then for the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána. While I have no function in the process, I can advise that the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988 as amended, set out the requirements for entry to An Garda Síochána.

The educational requirements, as set out in the most recent Garda Trainee recruitment competition in January 2008, can be viewed on both the Garda website (www.garda.ie) and the Public Appointments Service website (www.publicjobs.ie). Applicants holding international or other qualification(s) are advised to contact the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to ascertain if the qualification(s) they hold can be recognised as being acceptable for entry. They can be contacted at info@nqai.ie. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland also has a fact sheet and an application form available on its website at: http://www.nqai.ie/en/International/RecognitionofInternationalAwards/.

It is possible for a person who does not meet the educational requirements to apply to become a reserve member of An Garda Síochána.