Big Garda recruitment campaign is underway

LOCAL people who are interested in joining An Garda Síochána are being encouraged to apply for one of the 600 new positions being made available by the Government.  

Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald recently announced the opening of a recruitment campaign for new members of the force in 2016. 

Applications are being accepted at www.publicjobs.ie until January 5, 2016.

The 600 new gardaí, to be recruited next year, will bring to 1,150 the total number of new recruits since the reopening of Templemore in September 2014.  

So far 295 new recruits have completed their training and are now on the ground in communities nationwide as fully-fledged members of An Garda Síochána.

It is expected that successful candidates from the 2016 campaign will enter the Garda College in Templemore from mid-2016.

Local TD Alan Farrell (FG), who will contest the general election in Dublin Fingal, has encouraged potential gardai in Fingal to apply for the posts.  

“Serving as a member of An Garda Síochána is a great privilege, but the position comes with great responsibility,” he said.  

“I know that there are many capable and ambitious people in Dublin Fingal who would make an excellent contribution to the force and I would encourage anyone interested to apply.

“The ongoing recruitment of gardaí is testament to this Government’s commitment to supporting our communities and to ensuring that they have the resources necessary to protect our neighbourhoods.”

Stephanie Regan, one of Fine Gael’s three candidates in Dublin Bay North for the general election, is also calling on those interested to apply for the positions. 

“It is essential that we keep the recovery going so that we can continue to invest in public services and to provide resources for An Garda Síochána who do such valuable work,” said Ms Regan.