Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

165. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is willing to hear appeals from members of the Garda Reserve who are unable to access recruitment procedures for An Garda Síochána due to age restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42665/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The maximum recruitment age at which candidates may apply to join the Garda Síochána as a full time member is set by regulation at not more than 35 years and the question of appealing that upper age limit does not arise.

This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria:

- The cost of training.

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

- The operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on full time members in the course of their duty.