Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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669. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce amending legislation on reform of the age barrier that exists for persons wishing to apply to become a Garda recruit; the progress she has made to date in respect of this age barrier; and if she has consulted Garda HR and-or the Garda Commissioner in this regard. [36534/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that an Expert Review Group has been established by the Garda Commissioner to examine the issue of Garda Recruitment, Entry Pathways and Recruit Education.  This is a commitment under A Policing Service for our Future, the Implementation Plan for the recommendations in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Group will examine a variety of matters including the age of recruitment to An Garda Síochána. The Group operates in an advisory capacity and will submit a report to the Garda Commissioner within 12 months.  

The Deputy will also be aware of a recent Workplace Relations Commission decision in relation to the entry age into An Garda Síochána.  Following consultations with the Garda Commissioner, the Office of the Attorney General and the Chief State Solicitors Office, it has been decided to bring an appeal to the Labour Court to clarify a number of aspects of the decision in question.