Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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195. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for additional recruitment to An Garda Síochána; the timeframe involved; if she is satisfied that the current assessment process identifies the most suitable applicants; and the consideration that she has given to specific recruitment from the ranks of the Garda Reserve. [36920/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) are managing this recruitment process on behalf of the Garda Commissioner and I have no direct involvement in the matter.

I am informed that the Garda Commissioner and the Public Appointments Service have conducted the competition for Garda Trainee in compliance with the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) Code of Practice 'Appointment to positions where the Garda Commissioner has Statutory Responsibilities'.

The code reflects the following core principles:

I. Probity

II. Merit

III. Best Practice

IV. Fairness and Consistency

V. Openness, Accountability and Transparency

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. My Department, Garda Human Resources, and the Public Appointments Service are currently in discussion in relation to the format this competition will take. When announced the competition will be publicly advertised, including on the Public Appointments Service website (www.publicjobs.ie), and will be open to all eligible candidates.

The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 provide 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.