Tánaiste: Garda reserve recruitment a success
The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice Mr Michael McDowell today described the recent Garda Recruitment Campaign for Trainee and Reserve Gardaí as an overwhelming success and a strong vote of confidence in An Garda Síochána.
Figures provided by the Public Appointments Service, the body responsible for all public service recruitment, show the campaign has resulted in a total of 9,138 applications for Garda Trainee and 6,661 applications for the Garda Reserve to date.
Of these figures, 1,235 people have applied for both Garda Trainee and Reserve.
The closing date for Garda Trainee applications was 19 September but recruitment for the Reserve continues indefinitely.
The Tánaiste said, “The recruitment campaign has attracted a massive response from aspiring Gardaí and reserve members. The high level of applicants is a strong vote of confidence in our national police service, particularly as the campaign was conducted during a difficult period for An Garda Síochána."
"An Garda Síochána is undergoing huge reform; it is being transformed into a modern, fully accountable and transparent professional police service and I believe the success of this campaign reflects the public’s acknowledgement of this reality.
"In the current highly competitive employment market a career as a Garda obviously remains a viable and attractive option.
"The level of applications for the Garda Reserve unequivocally demonstrates the willingness of civic minded people to assist An Garda Síochána in policing our communities and vindicates the decision to proceed with the establishment of the Reserve.
"It is plain that this initiative enjoys overwhelming public support and I urge all stakeholders to now give their wholehearted support to the Garda Reserve’s pioneer volunteers as they commence training in Templemore this coming weekend.”
