Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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569. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an exemption for members of the Garda Reserve with respect to the aptitude test as part of the recruitment process for the Garda Síochána in consideration of the fact that Garda Reserve members would have many years policing experience; if this experience will be taken into consideration as part of the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3485/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is important that all persons wishing to join the full time force undergo the same competitive selection and recruitment process. In doing so the integrity of the process is maintained at all stages of the competition and for this reason there are no plans to exempt Garda Reserve members from any of the tests in that process. The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 continue in place the provision that, in a competition for full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, the Public Appointments Service shall take into account "any satisfactory service by the person as a reserve member of the Garda Síochána". This provision was introduced in order to acknowledge the beneficial experience and skills gained by a Reserve member and to allow them the opportunity to highlight that experience and skill at any stage of the selection process.