Garda recruitment announced

Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald has announced plans to recruit a further 250 trainees into the Garda College in 2015.

Each intake will comprise 125 recruits, an increase from the 100 recruits enrolled during the first three intakes since recruitment recommenced last September.

The recruitment was sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin. Minister Fitzgerald said “last September (2014) this Government oversaw the first recruitment of new Gardaí since 2009. We re-opened Garda College to new recruits and we committed to not letting it close again,” added Minister Fitzgerald.

“To date 300 new recruits have entered Garda College, with the first of these to join the force as sworn members in May. I promised seamless ongoing recruitment and today I am happy to confirm the recruitment of a further 250 new Gardaí over the coming months.”

The specific timeframe and phasing for entry to Garda College will be decided by the Garda Commissioner.