Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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790. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has consulted with the Garda management leadership team and/or the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to develop and introduce a graduate programme for civilian Garda employees and a Garda officer graduate stream into an Garda Síochána at rank level. [62152/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Getting more Gardaí on our streets to prevent and detect crime is my first priority as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration. This Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with Budget 2026 providing unprecedented funding of €2.59 billion to support recruitment and staffing.

The Recruitment and Training Capacity Group, established in 2024, has completed its work and published a report detailing improvements to Garda recruitment processes. The Group noted changes in the profile of Garda Trainee candidates, with approximately 40% now holding a primary degree and many having prior work experience before entering the Garda College. The Group has recommended that research be conducted to gain further insight on the decision-making process of potential Garda recruits, to help inform further enhancements to the recruitment process and work is expected to commence on that in the near future.

Graduates may be recruited as Garda Civilian Staff where required by the Commissioner. In November 2025, positions were advertised, including a Policy Specialist (Administrative Officer level), a Senior ICT Specialist (Higher Executive Officer level), and an Occupational Health Physician. These roles are targeted at graduates with qualifications at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications.

Gardai are not required to hold a degree prior to entry. Trainees undertake the Foundation Training Programme at the Garda College, which incorporates a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing accredited by the University of Limerick. The College delivers approximately 180 courses annually, administers academic funding for relevant third-level study, and provides the training and development required by all members of An Garda Síochána, whose annual training needs analysis informs the Organisational Training Plan.