Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, today attended the passing-out ceremony at Templemore to welcome and congratulate 53 newly-attested Garda members.
The new Garda members will now be assigned to Garda Divisions throughout the country.
Speaking at the attestation ceremony today, Minister McEntee said:
"It is a pleasure to see such a strong, diverse and vibrant group of new Gardaí passing out today. I would like to congratulate the newest members who join the almost 300 Gardaí who have already attested this year.
An Garda Síochána is a cornerstone of our democracy. Day in day out, we trust its members to maintain the security of the State, to protect our people, and to ensure that we can go about our daily lives in a peaceful country. In doing their work, Gardaí have the full support of the Government. The budget provided by this Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of over €2 billion for 2022, which is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.
In addition, my Department is working on legislative developments to assist and support An Garda Síochána as they look to the next 100 years of policing in Ireland.”
Of the 53 new Garda members attesting today, 13 are women while 8 were born outside the State, from England to Poland, Iraq, Mauritius, amongst others.
Minister McEntee added:
“It is particularly heartening to share this day with the new recruits in the centenary year of An Garda Síochána.
I am pleased to see that the significant efforts of Commissioner Drew Harris and the wider Garda organisation to encourage diversity amongst its members are paying off. It is vital that everyone in our society sees members of their own communities serving in An Garda Síochána. The diverse interest in recent recruitment campaigns shows that a career in An Garda Síochána is one that appeals to many – I hope for you all here today that it will be a career that is exciting, challenging and fulfilling.
You will help and protect people in their most vulnerable hours and at their most difficult times. As a country we owe you a debt of gratitude for the deep commitment to public service you have made in joining An Garda Síochána.
Go n-éirí an t-ádh libh le bhur ngairmeacha amach anseo – go raibh míle maith agaibh as an gcinneadh seo a dhéanamh , chun oibre le pobail chun iad a chosaint agus chun freastal orthu.”
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Notes to the Editor:
- The new recruits commenced online training in November 2021 for three weeks followed by one week of intensive training in the Garda College in December 2021.
- This group is the 28th intake to commence training under the new BA in Applied Policing Programme.
- There was a very strong interest in the recent Garda recruitment campaign, with over 11,000 people applying to become a member.
- The recruitment process will continue to identify candidates to enter the Garda College over the coming period
In accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State