•New trainees eligible for increased training allowance of €354 per week
Waterford Fine Gael TD John Cummins has welcomed today’s announcement that the 2025 Garda recruitment campaign will open for applications on 6 February. The provision of more than €2.48 billion in Budget 2025 will support the recruitment of new Garda members, Garda staff and Garda Reserves.
Speaking to the announcement Deputy Cummins said: “This Government is committed to improving Garda capacity by making it more attractive to become a Garda, but also by removing barriers to help widen the talent pool such as age limitations. There have been some really positive changes in this regard, we have increased the maximum age of entry from 35 to 50; while also expanding the mandatory retirement age to 62. And furthermore, we have also increased theallowance for trainee Gardaí to €354 per week, which should make it more attractive and realistic for many to train to become Gardaí.”
Deputy Cummins continued: “As outlined in the Programme for Government this Government will aim to provide funding to recruit at least 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda Staff over the next five years and today’s announcement displays our clear intent to achieve this goal.”
The Programme for Government outlines a number of measures intended to strengthen An Garda Síochána, expand the organisation’s resources, and modernise support to tackle crime. These include a reform of the Garda recruitment and training processes to increase capacity; examining the introduction of an accelerated graduate entry programme to An Garda Síochána; and implementation of a new Garda Capital Plan to deliver modern, well-equipped Garda stations across the country.
Recruitment into An Garda Síochána has accelerated following the forced closure of the Garda College during the pandemic. The 2024 Garda recruitment campaign received a strong response, with almost 6,400 applications, one third of which were from the 35-49 age group. That was the first time that those aged over 35 could apply.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Minister for Justice. A particular priority for me - and a key deliverable in our Programme for Government - is growing the size of An Garda Síochána.Improving our capacity to recruit Gardaí and train them effectively will be a focus of mine as Minister. The Programme for Government contains a range of measure to help us achieve that goal.
Deputy Cummins concluded: “Today’s announced new recruitment campaign will open on 6 February 2025 and will be open for applications for three weeks. The Gardaí are a vital part of our community, they allow our communities to not only function but to thrive, I firmly believe it’s a job worth doing and I encourage people to consider this fantastic opportunity and apply for a career in An Garda Síochána.”