More than 5,000 apply for garda trainee positions

Just over 5,000 people have applied as garda trainees, according to the Public Appointments Service. It is a significant drop on the last two competitions, with 16,700 applications last January and 23,000-plus applications in September 2014 — the first recruitment to the force since 2008.

It is not known what role, if any, the well-publicised low pay of garda graduates who start on a salary of €23,000 played in the drop in applications.

The service said numbers for the current competition, which closed last Thursday, were similar to pre-moratorium levels.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald said that 3,200 gardaí were required over the next four years to bring total strength to 15,000 — an average of around 800 per year.

“Over the two most recent previous garda trainee campaigns, applications received were at an all-time high, given that there had not been a recruitment campaign since 2008,” said a spokesperson for the service.

“On this occasion, just over 5,000 applications were received, showing a levelling off to a more regular pattern which is in line with campaigns prior to the moratorium on recruitment.”