Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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465. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications that were made for clerical civilian jobs in An Garda Síochána following the recruitment drive that closed on 20 September 2023; how many of the 400 clerical positions that were available have been now filled by civilians; the number of gardaí that have been freed-up from these clerical roles to be available for other frontline work in the force, in tabular form. [6309/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Public Appointments Service (PAS) manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda staff, including interviews, on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. As Minister I have no role in this matter.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that there were 7,735 valid applications for the Garda Clerical Officer 2023 competition.

I am informed that the first round of interviews took place in December 2023 for six priority counties. I am advised that over 60 candidates were offered roles and are currently progressing through the vetting process.

Garda authorities and the Public Appointments Service will continue to interview candidates throughout the lifetime of the competition (up to the end of December 2025).

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda authorities avail of all opportunities to reassign Gardaí out of administrative roles, where appropriate. However, it should be noted that not all Garda staff recruitment results in the freeing up of a Garda equivalent.

As the appointment of successful candidates has only commenced, and in light of the above, I am informed that in this instance no Gardaí have yet been reassigned to operational duties as a result of this competition.