Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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559. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the Garda recruitment campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18817/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is managing the recruitment process for the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter. I have, however, been informed that some 25,000 applications were received for the current competition. It is understood that around 18,000 candidates completed stage 1 tests, and of these approximately 13,000 reached a satisfactory standard. These 13,000 candidates were placed in three Bands in order of merit. All candidates have been informed by PAS of the results of these tests and of their position in each Band.

The top 5,000 candidates were placed in Band 1. These were then called to the next stages of the competition which involved further online unsupervised assessment tests and then a supervised test. Those who were successful will now be called for interviews, medical examinations and security checks. All these tests are designed to identify candidates who are suitable to be a Garda trainee. Candidates who are successful through all stages will be placed on a panel for entry into training in the Garda College. A candidate who fails any stage of the process will be eliminated and will not be allowed re-enter this particular competition.

It is expected that the first recruits will join An Garda Síochána in July of this year.