Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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542. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are circumstances for an exemption (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55002/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 and the recruitment and training of An Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter.

Regulation 4 (d) specifies that all applicants for admission as a Garda Trainee must have a proven proficiency in two languages; one of which must be Irish orEnglish. Such competency may be proven by achieving the relevant grades in the Leaving Certificate or for English or Irish through such assessments as set out by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which, on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Trainees.

This requirement applies without discrimination to all candidates, and there are no plans in train to change this requirement.