Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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385. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to abolish the upper age limit for persons to apply to become Garda trainee officers in view of the fact that it is perceived as discriminatory; the reason such an age cap exists; and if he has considered amending the age requirements to mirror those of the PSNI. [3182/20]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013 which provide that the age at which a person may apply to join An Garda Síochána as a full time member is not more than 35 years.

As the Deputy will be aware, in December 2018 the Government endorsed the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and the report is now being implemented in accordance with the targets and timelines set out in the 4-year plan "A Policing Service for the Future".

Among the issues highlighted in the Commission's report was that An Garda Síochána should reflect the diversity of Irish society and should therefore develop recruitment strategies to achieve a more diverse intake.  These recommendations echoed those of the Garda Inspectorate following their examination of entry routes into An Garda Síochána. These reports highlighted certain issues in relation to recruitment strategies for An Garda Síochána, including the maximum age of recruitment.  

I expect that the question of the appropriate age for recruitment to An Garda Síochána will be considered as part of that broader review of entry to An Garda Síochána.