Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 409, 417 and 418 of 23 March 2010, the cost of training each garda recruit including their pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17077/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the individual cost of each Garda recruit. However, the annual cost of running the Garda College, which has responsibility for the training requirements of An Garda Síochána, is approximately €27m (2009).

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 409, 417, 418 and 419 of 23 March 2010, the scientific criteria on which the age limit for recruitment to an Garda Síochána was set at 35 years on physical requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17078/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I explained in my answer to the earlier Questions referred to by the Deputy, recruitment in An Garda Síochána is governed under the Garda Síochána (Admission & Appointments) Regulations 1988/2005. The recruitment age was considered in 2004 when, on the recommendation of the Garda Commissioner, the maximum recruitment age was increased from 26 to 35 years. This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria: (1) The cost of training.

(2) The need for recruits to serve for a sufficient period of time as full members of the service to recoup this cost.

(3) The operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on members in the course of their duty.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 409, 417, 418 and 419 of 23 March 2010, if he will stand over the age limits set for retirement and recruitment in An Garda Síochána and assure Dáil Éireann that these regulations do not contravene Article 40 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17079/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The current recruitment and retirement ages for the Garda Síochána are intended to reflect the characteristics and requirements of the Force, and it is of course the case that these ages have been set at a level which is understood to be consistent with national and EU law.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 409, 417, 418 and 419 of 23 March 2010, when the case referred to will be brought before the Supreme Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17080/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The appeal referred to by the Deputy was taken by the Equality Tribunal, an independent statutory agency, and it is up to that body to progress the appeal through the courts.