Shatter confirms restart of Garda recruitment with 300 jobs on offer
Speaking at the launch of the Irish Prison Service’s new Human Rights training course in Portlaoise, Co Laois, Mr Shatter said he hoped to have the first batch of recruits in the Garda training college in Templemore by Jul 1, 2014, at the very latest.
He said: “I would expect a minimum of two intakes during 2014. Depending on timing, we might have a third intake, but certainly a minimum of two.”
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New recruits will undertake a new training course and Mr Shatter expects the recruitment process will “reflect the new Ireland that exists”.
He anticipates applications from Garda reserves and Irish people living overseas.
Mr Shatter said: “I am very excited that we are at this point. When I came into government I said that I expected and I hoped that in 2013 we could start the recruitment process and I don’t think too many of your colleagues in the media believed that would happen. I am very happy that we are now in a place where we can do this.”
The justice minister said the prison training course had been drawn up by the IPS in conjunction with the Human Rights Commission
“The Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, who is with us today, has, in his many prison inspection reports, had occasion to highlight human rights concerns in the past,” he said.
“His detailed report on St Patrick’s Institution early this year, which was a cause of substantial concern to me, is an example of this. In his report the inspector commented that a culture existed that led to the human rights of some children and young adults being ignored or violated.”
He added: “The Irish Prison Service has shown that as a service it is willing to listen to the constructive criticism it has received from the inspector, and others, and is prepared to effect changes in order to positively react to and address the issues raised.”
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