Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that I received Government approval in December 2021 for new regulations amending the Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 2013, in advance of a new Garda recruitment competition which commenced this month. The new Regulations contain technical amendments to reflect changes in legislation, and also to revise the language requirement for applicants.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) requires that I, as Minister for Justice, consult with the Garda Commissioner and Policing Authority prior to requesting Government approval to bring Regulations concerning the operational matters of An Garda Síochána into effect. The Regulations were finalised following extensive engagement between my Department, the Public Appointments Service and An Garda Síochána, and in consultation with the Policing Authority and the Garda Associations.

For the 2022 and subsequent recruitment competitions, applicants to An Garda Síochána must, as previously, be proficient in English or Irish. However, the requirement to be proficient in a second language has been removed.

The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland noted that diversity is a vital asset to any organisation that seeks to be innovative and adaptable.

I am informed that a team within An Garda Síochána carried out extensive research into barriers to recruitment and inclusivity, as well as international research regarding benchmarking against other police services. I am further informed this that research identified a number of potential barriers to recruitment, such as educational attainment, language proficiency and nationality. I understand An Garda Síochána engaged directly with diverse communities also, and again the previous requirement for two languages was raised as a difficulty.

The requirement for proficiency in only one language, which must be either English or Irish, will remove any potential disadvantage for people who have not had the opportunity to achieve proficiency in two languages, but who still wish to serve as members of An Garda Síochána.

An Garda Síochána remains committed to the Irish language and studies in the Irish language will remain part of the Policing BA delivered to all trainee Gardaí in the Garda College, Templemore. A new Irish Language Strategy has been developed by An Garda Síochána and will be launched early in 2022. The Strategy aims to strengthen Irish language services within An Garda Síochána and ensure compliance with statutory language obligations.