A TD has called for "enhanced communication" between An Garda Síochána and candidates who are waiting over a year on their vetting after completing the application process.
Several candidates have contacted BreakingNews.ie to express their frustration over delays due to "suitability checks", as they await completed vetting over a year after finishing their applications.
The rigorous process includes several stages, including exams, interviews, fitness tests, medical examinations, and thorough security vetting.
These individuals are from the 2022 and 2023 competitions, and are still waiting to see if they will be admitted to the Garda College.
They also expressed frustration at a change to the system, in response to efforts to boost Garda numbers, which saw 2024 applicants admitted while their vetting is still ongoing.
Social Democrats TD for Kildare North Aidan Farrelly recently raised the issue in the Dáil.
Mr Farrelly told BreakingNews.ie: "While I appreciate the process can take some time from start to finish, if a candidate has successfully navigated all stages of the recruitment process, a final determination on their file should issue to them in a timely manner in order for them to accept and prepare for the traineeship or move on with other career paths if they are deemed unsuitable to be admitted as a trainee."
Candidates are entitled to greater transparency in respect of their applications.
Candidates told BreakingNews.ie about feelings of being left in "limbo", and Mr Farrelly said they are "entitled to greater transparency".

"Candidates are entitled to greater transparency in respect of their applications. My understanding of the vetting stage is that the applicant transfers an incredible degree of personal details to An Garda Síochána in respect of themselves, relatives and others in good faith. Enhanced communication is certainly required."
"There is a back-catalogue of recruitment campaigns that have successful candidates waiting for the call," he added.
The policy of accepting candidates from the 2024 competition to the Garda College while their vetting is ongoing has also been questioned.
In response to a query, a Garda spokesperson said: "Based on feedback from candidates in the Garda recruitment process and the concerns of Garda associations on Garda numbers, the Garda Trainee process has been reviewed to ensure every opportunity is being utilised to grow the service.
"Recent new joiners and prospective candidates have told us that our process is too long and that the point at which we make offers into the Garda College is too late, with candidates reporting insufficient time to organise their current work and family arrangements. This has resulted in candidates removing themselves from the process or deferring to later intakes.
"As a result, the decision point at which candidates are invited to join the Garda trainee intake for December 2024 was brought forward. Vetting standards for Garda trainees remain the same."
The spokesperson added: "To improve our efficiency and the candidate experience, once the candidate has completed the stages of the selection process - the online assessment, interview, physical competency test, drugs test and stage 1 of the extensive vetting process - they are invited to take up a trainee position.
"They are advised that the vetting process will continue and may extend into the training period. In order to attest as a full member of An Garda Síochána, the vetting process must be completed by no later than the end of the training period."
The policy of letting applicants in while their vetting is ongoing, only for them to be potentially turned down as they approach the end of their time in the Garda College, is another uncertainty.
Mr Farrelly said: "It would be helpful if An Garda Síochána could clarify their position on this matter. The last thing we want is to deter people from applying to join An Garda Síochána for fear that a successful application may be delayed for a considerable time."
The ongoing issues come amid the latest Garda recruitment campaign, which was launched by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan on Tuesday.
The programme for government sets out a target to fund the recruitment of at least 5,000 new gardaí and additional Garda staff over the next five years.

Since September 2014, a total of 4,716 Garda members have attested and been deployed to Garda stations around Ireland.
Mr O’Callaghan admitted that it was going to be “a challenge” to recruit 1,000 gardaí a year.
“I don’t underestimate the challenge,” he said.

“If you look at the programme for government, there are some new proposals in respect to it, there’s consideration given to increasing the training allowance, that’s something I want to see.
“There’s also consideration given to opening a second training college. We’re looking at different means of allowing people to access into An Garda Síochána.”
He added: “I’m very aware that if the numbers aren’t rising, I will have to consider innovative measures to ensure that we do get the numbers up.”
He said that about a third of applicants to join An Garda Síochána last year were from people aged between 35 and 49.