Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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571. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the next batch of applicants for An Garda Síochána will be accepted to Templemore College. [10852/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff.  

Budget 2022 provides for the recruitment up to 800 new Garda recruits and up to 400 Garda staff in 2022.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is anticipated that an intake of Garda Trainees will commence their training by quarter 2 of this year. This intake will be drawn from the panel of candidates from previous recruitment competitions.

The Deputy will also be aware that a new Garda recruitment campaign is currently underway. Successful candidates from this competition will enter the college later this year. I would encourage anyone interested in joining An Garda Síochána to have a look at the competition with a view to applying, but I would particularly urge women, members of new Irish communities and people from minority and underepresented groups to consider a career in An Garda Síochána. The recruitment competition is open until 3pm on Wednesday 16 March 2022 and full details can be found at www.publicjobs.ie.