The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, today (Thursday) announced the launch of this year’s recruitment campaign for new members of An Garda Síochána on www.publicjobs.ie.
Welcoming the campaign, Minister Flanagan said:
The mission of An Garda Síochána is to protect and serve, and I encourage all those interested in supporting that mission, to consider applying. A career as a Garda is hugely rewarding. It’s one of public service where, every day, members make a vital contribution to the safety and well-being of their communities all across the country. An Garda Síochána is an integral part of those communities, where they forge connections which have helped maintain public respect for our policing service.
Recognising Ireland's increasing diversity, Minister Flanagan encouraged members of new and minority communities to consider a career in An Garda Síochána saying:
I very much welcome the Commissioner’s decision to facilitate alterations to the Garda uniform on request to accommodate religious and ethnic diversity. An Garda Síochána is there to serve all members of our society so it is important for it to reflect the welcome and increasing diversity of Irish life. I would urge members of our minority and new communities to consider applying as Ireland needs increased workforce diversity in all our public services. Being a Garda is a coveted job among young able ambitious people. It traditionally attracts large numbers of applicants and every successful candidate will get a warm welcome and a chance to use and develop all their skills.
Minister Flanagan continued:
This is a very exciting time for policing in Ireland. We have started to implement the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland recommendations which will transform and modernise how policing is delivered over the coming years. There is a huge opportunity for people who are interested in joining An Garda Síochána to use their many talents to shape this transformation, to contribute to building a modern police service, and to ensure that An Garda Síochána continues to be held in the high esteem that its proud tradition deserves.
The Government fully supports this transformation as evidenced by its continuing support for accelerated recruitment which has resulted in 2,600 new recruits attesting as Gardaí since September 2014. Through continuing recruitment, Garda numbers will reach 15,000 in 2021. This ambitious target can only be achieved with a continuous pipeline of suitable candidates.
The Minister concluded by referring to the variety of roles available in An Garda Siochána: “Community policing remains at the heart of policing in Ireland and modern policing is a dynamic and evolving area. During their careers, Gardaí have the opportunity to specialise in areas such as cybercrime; child protection; counter-terrorism; anti-fraud; international policing and much more and above all have the opportunity to serve their communities in this vital public service.
Notes for editors:
Applications must be made through www.publicjobs.ie. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 24 April 2019.
Successful candidates are required to undergo a two year training programme leading to a BA in Applied Policing. The two year programme comprises: Phase I - a 34 week block of tuition at the Garda College in Templemore (including 2 weeks leave) after which they attest as members of An Garda Síochána, Phase II - a 34 week block of on-the-job experiential learning and, finally, Phase III which consists of autonomous training.
Trainees receive an allowance of €184 per week during Phase I training with accommodation and food provided by the Garda College.
Following attestation as a full member of An Garda Síochána, after successfully completing the 34 week block, a member moves onto the first point of the Garda incremental pay scale of €30,296. The incremental scale rises to €48,754 per annum after 8 years with two further increments after 13 and 19 years' service when a member reaches the maximum point of the pay scale which is currently €52,482. Other allowances may also be payable including for unsocial hours, as may overtime.