Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of applicants that have successfully completed stages one and two of the selection process for An Garda Síochána and are being processed through background screening, medical examination and physical competence test and so on; the number of candidates who have completed these stages and will begin training in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47028/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 410 Garda applicants who have successfully completed stages 1 and 2 of the application process. Of these there are a total of 164 applicants who have completed all stages of the application process and are ready for entry to the Garda College when recruitment re-commences. The remaining candidates are being processed through background screening, medical examination and physical competency tests. The National Recovery Plan 2011- 2014 provides for a reduction in the number of members of An Garda Síochána to 13,000 by the end of 2014. This reduction, and the rate at which it is achieved through retirements, will be taken into account in determining when recruitment will re-commence.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if it is still the intention to proceed with the establishment of a panel of approved candidates for Garda recruitment, which was announced in June 2010; if so, when it is likely that such a panel of approved candidates will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47054/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The moratorium on recruitment and appointments continues to apply to An Garda Síochána with provisions for exceptions following agreement with the Minister for Finance. The purpose of organising a recruitment campaign earlier this year was to begin the process of establishing a panel of potential applicants who could go on to be recruited as members of An Garda Síochána. Since that announcement was made, the National Recovery Plan 2011- 2014 was developed and published. The plan provides for a reduction in the number of members of An Garda Síochána to 13,000 by the end of 2014. This reduction, and the rate at which it is achieved through retirements, will be taken into account in determining when recruitment will commence.