Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if the selection process for the 610 new posts in the Garda Síochána announced in budget 2016 will be open to persons who are not currently on the Garda Síochána selection panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36435/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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In line with this Government's commitment to ensuring ongoing seamless recruitment to An Garda Síochána the budget allocation for 2016 will allow the recruitment of 600 new Gardaí in addition to the 550 that will be recruited by the end of this year. The ongoing recruitment of new Gardaí is crucial to the renewal of An Garda Síochána and for the safety of communities throughout the State.

I am advised that as the panel of successful candidates from the last competition is expected to be exhausted early in the New Year, a new competition will need to be held in order to ensure the ongoing recruitment of trainee Gardaí throughout 2016. The competition will be publicly advertised, including on the Public Appointments Service website (www.publicjobs.ie) and will be open to all eligible candidates.