An Garda Síochána Entry Requirements for Recruits

Please NOTE

The following information is taken from the Public Appointments Service via their website www.publicjobs.ie.

The official downloadable Candidate Information Booklet PDF document is available here   

Garda Trainee Recruitment 2024

Candidate Information Booklet
GARDA TRAINEE 2024
The Public Appointments Service and the Garda Commissioner intend to hold a selection and
appointments process for Garda Trainees.

Closing Date: 3:00pm Thursday 8th February 2024
Campaign ID: 2400104

The Public Appointments Service and An Garda Síochána are committed to a policy of Equality,
Diversity and Inclusion.
The Public Appointments Service on behalf of An Garda Síochána (AGS) will run the selection aspects
of this competition in compliance with the relevant Code of Practice prepared and published by the
Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) and available on www.cpsa.ie.

CONTACT: PUBLIC APPOINTMENTS SERVICE
JUSTICE RECRUITMENT UNIT
CHAPTER HOUSE
26 – 30 ABBEY STREET UPPER, DUBLIN 1
URL: www.publicjobs.ie
Email: GardaTrainee2024@publicjobs.ie

Competition Overview

Salary
Garda Trainees will receive an allowance of €305 per week for the 36 weeks leading to attestation.
Accommodation and food is provided by An Garda Síochána while resident in the Garda College.
Garda Trainees attest after 36 weeks and move to the first point of the Garda incremental pay scale of
€35,322. Further information on the Training Contract and the Conditions of Service can be found here.

Selection Process

Carried out by the Public Appointments Service

Stage 1
This will consist of a number of assessments which will be completed online. The assessments can be
taken at any time during the testing window. We recommend taking the assessments on a laptop or pc.
Familiarisation material, including some practice examples will be provided to you before you take the
assessments. Further information can be found on page 12 of this booklet.

Stage 2
Those candidates who are successful at Stage 1 will be invited to the next stage in order of merit.
Stage 2 will consist of an interview, carried out remotely via Zoom. Interviews will be held monthly and
you will receive further information about this stage of the process prior to your interview.
Important: Before you apply for this competition, please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria set
out on pages 4 and 5 of this booklet. Your application will not be progressed if you do not.
You should also be aware that tattoos and body art on the face, visible above the collar or below the
cuff of your uniform, are not permitted. In order to retain a professional image, all other tattoos and
body art must be covered while on duty. You must make An Garda Síochána aware if you have visible
tattoos as early as possible as they may prevent you from being permitted to commence training.

Appointments Process

Carried out by An Garda Síochána

If you are successful at Stage 2 and it has been confirmed that you meet the eligibility criteria, your
name and contact details will be forwarded to An Garda Síochána. You will then be invited to undergo
a PCT (Physical Competency Test) in Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Please ensure that you have
reviewed the information on the PCT and how to prepare for it which can be found here.
You will also be required to undertake a medical examination and a Substance Misuse (Controlled
Drug) Test. Vetting checks will be carried out during this time. Detailed information on the appointments
process can be found here.

Training

The Foundation Training Programme is the initial training and development programme for newly
recruited Garda Trainees and Probationer Gardaí in An Garda Síochána. Phase I, Stage 1, 2 and 3
provides the foundations to policing and will be for a period of 36 weeks (or such period of time as the
Garda Commissioner may determine). Phase 1, Stage 1 is a mandatory residential training component,
normally conducted on a Monday to Friday basis in the Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary.
Phase 1 Stage 2 is a mandatory observational placement training component, normally conducted
within a commutable distance from home in an Operational Garda Station. Phase 1 Stage 3 is a
mandatory residential training component, normally conducted on a Monday to Friday basis in the
Garda College, Templemore, Co. Tipperary. Further information on the training can be found here.

Introduction

An Garda Síochána is the national police service of Ireland with a mission of “Keeping People Safe”.
A career as a member of AGS is a challenging and exciting one. Directed and controlled by the Garda
Commissioner, An Garda Síochána is unique among policing services internationally as a unitary body
responsible for the security of the State and the provision of policing services. The two functions are
united by an underpinning philosophy: the protection of the individual and the safety of communities.
The role of a member of An Garda Síochána continually presents new and interesting experiences.
Modern policing entails much more than crime fighting. Reducing the fear of crime and working in
partnership with communities are the keys to making a positive difference and improving quality of life
for all citizens.
As a member of An Garda Síochána, you would operate on the front line, supporting victims and
witnesses, providing reassurance and instilling confidence. You would be in a position to make a
proactive contribution to your area, building relationships and trust within the community.

Reflecting the Diversity of Irish Society

An Garda Síochána is committed to reflecting the increasing diversity of Irish Society within the
organisation; not only in gender and ethnicity, but also in sexual orientation, socio-economic,
educational and geographical background.
We welcome applications from any and all backgrounds.
Candidates need to be proficient in either or both of the following:
i) the Irish language
ii) the English language
Essential eligibility requirements can be found on pages 4 and 5. There is no requirement to have a
degree prior to entering An Garda Síochána as a Garda Trainee. If you are in the final year of
completing a degree when offered a place in the Garda College we can be flexible with your start date
to enable you to complete your final year.
We would invite you to consider a career as a member of An Garda Síochána. Policing is a highly
rewarding career where you can make a difference to the lives of individuals and communities. An
Garda Síochána encourage people of all backgrounds and skills to join us.
As an Organisation, we are embracing our diverse society and we will consider alterations to the Garda
uniform policy to take account of religious and ethnic requirements, subject to operational, health and
safety requirements.

Conditions for Entry – Eligibility

Entry as a Garda Trainee to An Garda Síochána is governed by the Garda Síochána (Admissions &
Appointments) Regulations, 2013 as amended by the Garda Síochána (Admissions and
Appointments) (Amendment) 2020 (Statutory Instrument 602 of 2020), the Garda Síochána
(Admissions and Appointments) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (Statutory Instrument 757 of 2021)
and the S.I. No. 611/2023 – Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) (Amendment)
Regulations 2023 or any amendments to those Regulations over the duration of the campaign.
An overview of the eligibility criteria that candidates must meet to apply for admission as a Garda
Trainee and for entry to the competitive selection process organised by the Public Appointments
Service in this regard is outlined below. However, for the detailed admissions and eligibility
requirements, candidates should refer to those requirements as set out in the Regulations
referenced above.
Please note that the onus is on candidates to provide documentary evidence that they
continue to meet the eligibility requirements throughout the process and to update the
Public Appointments Service and An Garda Síochána of any changes that might impact their
eligibility.

To be eligible for selection as a Garda Trainee, an applicant must:
(i) be of good character;
(ii) be certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner (nominated by the Commissioner after
consultation with the Minister) to be in good health, of sound constitution and suited
physically and mentally to performing the duties of a member of the service;
(iii) have passed a Physical Competence Test;
(iv) be 18 years of age but not yet 50 years of age at midnight on Thursday, 8th of February 2024;
(v) be a national of a European Union Member State or
be a national of a European Economic Area State, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland or the Swiss Confederation or
Under the International Protection Act, 2015 and in compliance with the Admissions and
Appointments Regulations 2013, as amended, be
(i) a refugee or a family member of such a person in relation to whom a refugee
declaration is in force and continues to be in force for the entire duration of the
Garda Recruit selection and admissions process or
(ii) a person granted subsidiary protection or a family member of such a person in
relation to whom a subsidiary protection declaration is in force and continues to
be in force for the entire duration of the Garda Recruit selection and admissions
process or
by the closing date of the advertisement of this competition, have had a period of one year’s
continuous residence in the State, and during the eight years immediately preceding that
period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years.
(vi) by the closing date:
(a) have obtained an Irish Leaving Certificate with a grade D3 or O6 minimum in five
subjects at Ordinary Level*, or
(b) hold a minimum of a Level 5 Major award (120 Credits) on the National Framework
of Qualifications (NFQ), or
(c) hold a recognised qualification (at Level 5 or greater), deemed comparable to the
above in terms of both level and volume of learning as determined by Quality
and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
AND
(d) be proficient in either or both of the following:
i) the Irish language
ii) the English language
* Subjects taken at Foundation Level Leaving Certificate are not considered equivalent for entry to
this competition. In certain cases, a Pass in the Applied Leaving Certificate may be deemed equivalent
to an Ordinary Leaving Certificate. A H7 grade is also deemed equivalent to an O6 grade.
The Public Appointments Service may verify the validity of qualifications other than the Leaving
Certificate with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Candidates may refer to the National
Academic Recognition Information Centre which offers advice on the academic recognition of foreign
qualifications in Ireland.
(vii) All applicants must have relinquished all previous employment prior to entry to the Garda
College and may not be on a career break from any such employment upon entry.
Determining eligibility requirements
You should note that candidates’ qualifications/eligibility may not be confirmed until the latter stages of
the selection/appointments process. Therefore, candidates who do not possess the essential
requirements on the closing date and who proceed with their application will not be eligible to be
selected or offered a position in this competition.
Eligibility may be assessed at multiple stages of the process. Candidates who are unable to show that
they hold the required qualifications or are found to be ineligible may be withdrawn from the
competition at any stage. An invitation to test, interview or any element of the selection/appointments
process is not acceptance of eligibility by the Public Appointments Service and/or An Garda Síochána.

Application Streams

As part of this recruitment competition there will be three application streams i.e.:
(i) General (open to any candidate who meets the eligibility criteria as set out on pages 4 and
5 of this booklet)
(ii) Iarrthóirí atá líofa don tSraith Ghaeilge (Applicants with proficiency in the Irish language
Stream)
(iii) Eligible Serving Garda Reserve Members.
If eligible, candidates may opt to apply for one or more streams. The onus is on the candidate to
select the correct competition stream(s).
Iarrthóirí atá líofa don tSraith Ghaeilge (Applicants with proficiency in the Irish language Stream)
The Garda Commissioner and An Garda Síochána are fully committed to fulfilling their obligations
under the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. The Garda Commissioner is pleased to
announce that individuals who have proficiency in the Irish language and who fulfil all other eligibility
criteria set out may indicate their interest in applying for consideration to a specialist Irish language
stream on the application form.

Candidates who indicate their interest in this stream who are invited through to the final stages of the
selection process will be required to undergo a competency-based interview in Irish prior to being
considered for such a position. They must achieve the required level in the Irish language at this
interview i.e. demonstrate a minimum Level B2 on the Europass self-assessment framework.
Candidates appointed from this stream must be able to provide a full range of services in Irish. If
successful, candidates will be allocated to Gaeltacht areas for a period of time as and when
determined by the Garda Commissioner.

Serving Garda Reserve Members Stream

In recognition of the fact that Reserve Gardaí have undergone training in many of the skills required to
perform their duty as valued members of community policing or regular units, a separate application
stream is open to serving Reserve Gardaí.
To be eligible for this stream, candidates must have:
(i) completed their probationary period
(ii) performed their role to a satisfactory standard
(iii) served a minimum of 120 hours per year for two of the last four claim years and,
(iv) fulfil the Conditions for Entry as set out on pages 4 and 5 of this Information Booklet
Eligible applicants should apply in the usual way and indicate on the application form that they wish to
apply for the Serving Garda Reserve Stream. In order to be considered for this stream, when
completing your application form you must include:
1) Reserve Garda Registration Number.
2) Division in which you are currently serving.
Applicants must be a serving Garda Reserve member at the time of appointment as a Garda
Trainee to continue to be eligible under the Garda Reserve Stream. Applicants who are no
longer a member of the Reserve Garda will not be eligible to be offered an appointment from
this Stream.
You will also be required to complete an additional verification form at the time of appointment.

The Application Process

Policing is a unique and challenging vocation and the selection process is comprehensive.
Therefore, we encourage you to complete the job preview self-assessment tool (included at Appendix
A) to make sure that this career is the right fit for you before you apply.
The questionnaire is an invaluable tool and offers insights into the reality of the role.
Applying for the role:
• The Public Appointments Service will manage the application process and the initial
selection stages of the competition on behalf of the Garda Commissioner.
• Applications should be made online through www.publicjobs.ie.
• To apply, candidates must have a “User Account” on www.publicjobs.ie. If you have not
already done so, you must click “Login” on the Publicjobs homepage and register as a
‘New User’ to create your Profile (register a New Account).
• If you cannot remember your profile details, please do not create a second profile as
this could invalidate your application.
• Candidates should not confuse registering (Creating a Profile) with submitting an
application. Once you have created a Profile you must then access the application
form (click on the button “Apply Now” to access the application form which can be found
at the end of the job posting page), complete and submit it. Only fully completed
applications, submitted by the closing date, will be accepted. Only one application per
person is permitted.

Username/Password issues
Forgotten your username or password?
If so, click on the following link:
https://www.publicjobs.ie/candidateportal/home/forgottenDetails.do
How to contact Public Appointments Service?
If you continue to have ‘User Name’ or ‘Password’ difficulties please email Public
Appointments Service at GardaTrainee2024@publicjobs.ie outlining your issue and giving
your name and contact details, including a telephone number, where you can be reached.
Candidates should note that support will only be available during office hours until the
closing date.

• Candidates must use their own valid email address. Email addresses from third parties
will not be accepted and may invalidate your application. The Public Appointments
Service will only communicate application information with the candidate and not with
any third party.
• It is important that you keep note of your username and password as you will need this
information to access your Publicjobs message board.
• Should you change your email address or mobile phone number in the course of this
recruitment competition, you should login to your Publicjobs account and update your
profile as soon as possible. If it becomes necessary to send an email/text message
notification to you, this will be sent to the email address/telephone number on your
profile.
• Interaction with candidates during the selection process will primarily be conducted
online. The Public Appointments Service will send most communication through your
Publicjobs message board. Check your message board on a regular basis as email
notifications of updates/tests issued to your message board may sometimes be filtered
into your Junk/Spam email folders (or ‘Promotions’ in the case of Gmail). You are also
advised to check all these folders regularly.
• If invited to tests and/or interview, the onus is on each applicant to make themselves
available on the date(s) specified by the Public Appointments Service. If you do not
attend on the specified date/time you will be deemed withdrawn from the competition
unless you have notified the Public Appointments Service of a specific reason why you
cannot attend and are requesting an alternative date/time. Documentary evidence may
be requested before an alternative date/time is considered.
• The Public Appointments Service accepts no responsibility for communication not
accessed by an applicant. They must ensure that they regularly check their Publicjobs
message board and access all communications from the Public Appointments Service.
• Once you have submitted your application form, you should return to your Publicjobs
account and confirm that it has been successfully submitted via ‘My Applications’. At this
point you should consider adding www.publicjobs.ie to your safe senders or contact list
within your email account to avoid not receiving emails because a Publicjobs email has
been blocked.
• The admission of a person to the competition, or invitation to undertake any element of
the selection process is not to be taken as implying that the Public Appointments Service
or the Garda Commissioner is satisfied that such a person fulfils the requirements.

Candidates with Disabilities

The Public Appointments Service and An Garda Síochána are committed to equality of opportunity for
all candidates. The Public Appointments Service has a key role to play in attracting candidates from all
sectors of society, ensuring that routes to career opportunities are accessible to all who are interested.
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all candidates.
If you have a disability or need reasonable accommodations made during the selection process, we
strongly encourage you to share this with us so that we can ensure you get the support you need.
Reasonable accommodation in our selection process refers to adjustments and practical changes
which would enable a disabled candidate to have an equal opportunity for this competition. Examples
of adjustments we provide include the use of assistive technology, extra time, scribes and/or readers or
a range of other accommodations.
Please be assured that having a disability or requiring adjustments will not impact on your progress in
the selection process; you will not be at a disadvantage if you disclose your disability or requirements
to us. Any information you disclose will only be used to establish whether reasonable accommodations
can be provided in order to assist you to progress in the competition. Your disability and/or adjustments
will be kept entirely confidential.

Should you be successful, the disclosure of a disability for this stage of the process will not be passed
onto the employing department unless you request that we do so.
If you have indicated on your application/profile that you require reasonable accommodations, please
submit a psychologist/medical report to asu@publicjobs.ie.

The purpose of the report is to provide Public Appointments Service with information to act as a basis
for determining reasonable accommodations, where appropriate. The information within these reports
that is useful for us to see includes the outcome of any diagnostic tests conducted by your
psychologist/doctor, and their summary of recommendations in relation to your requirements. You may
redact (block out) parts of medical reports/psychologist’s reports that you feel are sensitive or
unnecessary for the decision to make reasonable adjustments.
These reports must be forwarded to the Assessment Services unit by close of business on Thursday,
8th February 2024. You should email a scanned copy of the report to asu@publicjobs.ie.

If you have previously applied for a competition with the Public Appointments Service and
submitted a report, please email asu@publicjobs.ie to confirm that your report is still on file.

If you would like to talk about your application or any accommodations that may be of benefit during the
recruitment process, please contact our Disability Champion, Amanda Kavanagh, at
amanda.kavanagh@publicjobs.ie. For further information on the accessibility of our service please see
our Accessibility page.

Any requests for reasonable accommodations in respect of those candidates who are successful in the
selection process must be made in writing by the candidate to The Appointments Office, Garda
Headquarters, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 or by email to Appointments@Garda.ie. Such applications must
be accompanied with supporting medical or appropriate psychological reports. The purpose of the
report is to provide An Garda Síochána with information to act as a basis for determining reasonable
accommodations where appropriate.

Closing Date

The closing date and time for receipt of completed applications is 3pm on Thursday 8th February
2024. The onus is on you to ensure that you have correctly submitted a completed application form as
any requests to submit an application after the closing time/date will not be considered.
If you do not receive acknowledgement of receipt of your application within two working days of
applying, please check your Junk/Spam folders as email notifications may be filtered into these
email folders (or “Promotions” in the case of Gmail). If the acknowledgement is still not received,
please email GardaTrainee2024@publicjobs.ie including your name, candidate ID and contact details.
Candidates should note that support will be available during office hours until the closing date.

The Selection Process

Overview

The competition for the selection of Garda Trainees attracts a very high number of applicants.
Accordingly, the selection process to become a Garda Trainee is comprehensive, with candidates
required to undertake a range of relevant assessment tests and exercises over a number of stages.
The tests and exercises are designed to identify candidates who may be suitable for the role of a
Garda Trainee, with potential to become an attested member. Therefore, only the highest performing
candidates at each particular stage will progress to the next stage. The numbers called forward to each
stage of selection will be determined from time to time having regard to the number of places to be
filled in the Garda College.
The Public Appointments Service will conduct the initial selection stages on behalf of the Garda
Commissioner. Names and details of candidates who are successful and are placed highest on the
order of merit following the selection stages conducted by the Public Appointments Service will be
forwarded to An Garda Síochána for consideration for appointment.
Neither An Garda Síochána nor the Public Appointments Service will be responsible for any expenses
incurred by candidates in relation to the recruitment process.

Job Preview Self-Assessment

As outlined, a realistic Job Preview Questionnaire is included in this booklet (see Appendix A) which
you should consider before making an application. This is not a part of the selection process; it is for
your own use to assist you in deciding if a career in An Garda Síochána is right for you. It is important
that you complete the questionnaire as it includes key questions that provide an insight into this role.

Selection Methods

Candidates will be required to take a number of tests which are designed to identify their potential to
become a Garda Trainee. More detailed information in relation to the selection methods and confirmed
dates will be made available to candidates as they progress through the process.
The selection process for this competition will comprise a number of elements. These may include one
or more of the following:
• Tests and Exercises e.g. language, reasoning and ability tests
• Online Video Interview (e.g. Zoom)
• Any other assessment tests/exercises deemed appropriate.
It remains the case that the methods of assessment to be used may need to be reviewed during the
course of this competition. As such it is strongly advised that each candidate reviews any
communication or familiarisation sent to your Publicjobs message board prior to the commencement of
each stage.

Timeline of the Garda Trainee selection process

The chart below outlines the selection process that candidates can expect to participate in, should they
apply for any of the three streams.
Note
Stages 1 and 2 of the selection process will be conducted by the Public Appointments Service with
Stage 3 being conducted by An Garda Síochána. Candidates who qualify and meet the eligibility
requirements following interview will go forward for consideration for appointment by An Garda
Síochána.
As candidates progress through the various stages/elements of the selection and appointment process,
they should make themselves available for any dates communicated to them as it may not be possible
to reschedule.
It is envisaged that successful applicants from this campaign may be considered for intakes
into the Garda College during 2024 and 2025.

Stage 1 of the Selection Process

Assessment Tests

Stage 1 will be conducted online and will be remotely proctored via webcam. The tests will be available
in a range of languages. Initial online assessments may be taken in a venue of your choice, wherever
you have access to a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. All eligible
candidates who have successfully applied for this competition will be invited to complete Stage 1.
Candidates will be ranked based on their assessment scores. Those ranked highest on the order of
merit will be invited to undertake the next stage of the selection process.
Detailed information on each stage will be made available at the appropriate time to candidates being
invited to that particular stage of the process.
Online Test-Taking Environment
Please be aware that taking these tests within a secure IT network e.g. a network such as your work or
college that may have firewalls or other security technology in place may cause you technical
difficulties. You should consider taking the tests in your home or other environment, where access to
the internet is not restricted to the same level. The onus is on you to ensure that you have full internet
access to complete the tests. Candidates should ensure that they can complete the tests in a quiet
environment where they can concentrate without being disturbed for the duration of the tests.

Links to the online Stage 1 Assessments
Following the closing date and before Stage 1 commences, a link to the Pre-Test Information Booklet
will be sent to your message board.
A link to the actual online assessment tests will be sent to candidates’ message boards in advance of
the test-taking window. It is anticipated that this link will be sent during February/March 2024. This link
will allow you access to all assessments.

Subsequent Stages of Selection Process
More detailed information on Stages 2 and 3 will be made available to the relevant candidates as they
progress through the process via their Publicjobs message board.

Preparing yourself for the selection process
Familiarisation material will be made available in advance of each assessment stage. Please note that
the assessment tests require no other special preparation and that past papers are not available.

Preparation Courses
The Garda Commissioner wishes to make it clear that neither the Public Appointments Service
nor An Garda Síochána have a function or involvement in the provision of, and do not endorse
any preparation courses relating to the selection process for the role of Garda Trainee.

Appointments Process
Candidates who are successful in the selection process will go forward for consideration for
appointment by An Garda Síochána, in order of merit based on their interview scores.
When a candidate enters this stage, they will be contacted by An Garda Síochána to arrange for the
completion of the following assessments:
• Physical Competence Test
• Substance Misuse (Controlled Drug) Testing
• Medical Examination
• Vetting
Candidates must be found suitable on all of the grounds above in order to be offered a place in the next
stage of the recruitment process, the Garda Foundation Training Programme in the Garda College in
Templemore. Please note that success through to any stage of the selection process is not a
guarantee of acceptance as a Garda Trainee. Detailed information on the appointments process
can be found here.

Further information on each stage of the Appointments process carried out by An Garda
Síochána will be provided to all candidates invited to Stage 3 of the selection process.

Review Mechanisms

CPSA – Code of Practice
The Public Appointments Service will conduct the selection process for the Garda Trainee competition
in compliance with the Commission for Public Service Appointments’ (Commission) Code of Practice
for Appointment to Positions in the Civil and Public Service.
The Code of Practice sets out the procedures to address candidates’ requests for review and
candidates’ complaints in relation to the selection process. Issues relating to Stages 1 and 2 of the
process should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Appointments Service. Issues
relating to the appointments process should be addressed to the Garda Commissioner.

The code reflects the following core principles:
– Probity
– Merit
– Best Practice
– Consistency
– Transparency

– Appointments promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
There is no obligation on the Public Appointments Service or An Garda Síochána to suspend the
selection or appointment process while it considers a request for a review. Please note that where a
review of a recruitment and selection process has taken place under Section 7 of this Code of Practice,
a complainant may not seek a further review of the same process under Section 8, other than in the
most exceptional circumstances that will be determined by the Commission at its sole discretion.
The Code of Practice is available on the website of the Commission for Public Service Appointments,
www.cpsa.ie.

Review Procedures

Section 7
A request for review may be taken by a candidate should they be dissatisfied with an action or decision
taken by the Public Appointments Service or An Garda Síochána. The relevant officeholder will
consider requests for review in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of the Code of Practice.
When making a request for a review, the candidate must support their request by outlining the facts
they believe show that the action taken or decision reached was wrong. A request for review may be
refused if the candidate cannot support their request.

The Commission recommends that, subject to the agreement of the candidate, where the office holder
considers the matter could be resolved they should first seek to engage on an informal basis, before
making use of the formal review procedure.

Procedure for Informal Review
• A request for Informal Review must be made within 5 working days of notification of the decision
and should normally take place between the candidate and a representative of the PAS who
had played a key role in the selection process.
• Where a candidate remains dissatisfied following any such informal discussion, they may adopt
the formal procedures set out below.
• If the candidate wishes the matter to be dealt with by way of a formal review, they must do so
within 5 working days of the notification of the outcome of the informal review.

Procedure for Formal Review of Selection Process
• The candidate must address their concerns in relation to the process in writing to the Chief
Executive Officer of the Public Appointments Service or the Commissioner of An Garda
Síochána as appropriate, outlining the facts that they believe show an action taken or decision
reached was wrong.
• A request for review must be made within 5 working days of the notification of the selection
decision.
• Any extension of these time limits will only be granted in the most exceptional of circumstances.
• The outcome must generally be notified to the candidate within 25 working days of receipt of the
request for review.

Section 8 – Complaints

Where a candidate may believe there was a breach of the Code of Practice by the relevant licence
holder (the Chief Executive Officer of the Public Appointments Service or the Garda Commissioner)
which compromised the integrity of the decision reached in the selection or appointment process they
can have it investigated under Section 8 of the Code. The complaints process enables candidates (or
potential candidates) to make a complaint to the licence holder in the first instance, and to the
Commission subsequently on appeal if they remain dissatisfied.

The complainant must outline the facts that they believe show that the process followed was wrong.
The complainant must also identify the aspect of the Code they believe has been infringed and enclose
any relevant documentation that may support the allegation. A complaint may be dismissed if they
cannot support their allegations by setting out how the Public Appointments Service or An Garda
Síochána has fallen short of the principles of this Code.

• A request for Informal complaint must be made within 5 working days of notification of the
decision and should normally take place between the candidate and a representative of the
PAS who had played a key role in the selection process.
• Where a candidate remains dissatisfied following any such informal discussion, they may adopt
the formal procedures set out below.
• If the candidate wishes the matter to be dealt with by way of a formal review, they must do so
within 5 working days of the notification of the notification of the decision or within 5 working
days of the outcome of the informal complaint.

Requests for Feedback/Test Rechecks

Feedback in relation to the selection process is available on written request. There are no specific
timeframes set for the provision of feedback or for carrying out rechecks.
Please note that the Review Process as set out in the Code of Practice is a separate process with
specified timeframes that must be observed. Receipt of feedback is not required to invoke a review. It is
not necessary for a candidate to compile a detailed case prior to invoking the appeals mechanism. The
timeframe set out in the CPSA Code cannot be extended for any reason including the provision of
feedback and/or the outcome of rechecks.

Candidates’ obligations

Candidates must:
• have the knowledge and ability to discharge the duties of the post concerned;
• be of suitable character for the post;
• be suitable in all other relevant respects for appointment to the post concerned
and if successful, they will not be appointed to the post unless they
• agree to undertake the duties attached to the post and accept the conditions under which the
duties are, or may be required to be, performed, and
• are fully competent, available to and capable of undertaking those duties.

Candidates must not:
• knowingly or recklessly provide false information
• canvass any person with or without inducements
• interfere with or compromise the process in any way
A third party must not personate a candidate at any stage of the process.
Any attempt, direct or indirect by an applicant to use influence by way of canvassing in connection with
their application will cause them to be disqualified from the competition.
Any person who contravenes the above provisions or who assists another person in contravening the
above provisions is committing an offence. A person who is found guilty of an offence is liable to
prosecution that may result in a fine and/or imprisonment.
In addition, where a person found guilty of an offence was or is a candidate at a recruitment process,
then:
• where a person has not been appointed to a post, they will be disqualified as a candidate; and
• where a person has been appointed subsequently to the recruitment process in question, they
shall forfeit that appointment.

Confidentiality of Information and Materials

It is important to remember that this is a competitive process for a role where integrity is paramount.
Sharing information on the selection process e.g. through social media or any other means, may result
in you being disqualified from the competition.
Please note that all assessment and test materials are subject to copyright and all rights are reserved.
No part of the test material (including passages of information, questions or answer options),
associated materials or interview related information may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or
by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, photographing, recording, written or
otherwise, at any stage. To do so is an offence and may result in exclusion from the selection process.
Any person who contravenes this provision, or who assists another person(s) in contravening this
provision, is liable to prosecution and/or civil suit for loss of copyright and intellectual property.

Use of Recording Equipment
The Public Appointments Service does not allow the unsanctioned use of any type of recording
equipment on its premises or any location where assessments/tests/interviews, etc. take place, e.g.
video interviews, teleconference. This applies to any form of sound recording and any type of still
picture or video recording, whether including sound recording or not, and covers any type of device
used for these purposes.
Any person wishing to use such equipment for any of these purposes must seek written permission in
advance. This policy is in place to protect the privacy of staff and candidates/clients and the integrity of
the assessment material and assessment processes.
Unsanctioned use of recording equipment by any person is a breach of this policy. Any candidate
involved in such a breach could be disqualified from the competition and could be subject to
prosecution under section 55 of the Public Service Management (Recruitment & Appointments) Act,
2004.
In addition, where a person found guilty of such an offence was or is a candidate, then;
• Where they have not been appointed to the post they will be disqualified as a candidate; and
• Where they have been appointed subsequently to the recruitment process in question, they
shall forfeit that appointment.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who do not attend for interview or other test when and where required by the Public
Appointments Service, or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as the Public
Appointments Service require in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further
claim to consideration.
Candidates are expected to provide all requested documentation to PAS, including all forms issued by
PAS for completion, within five days of request. Failure to do so will result in the candidate being
deemed to have withdrawn from the competition and their candidature will receive no further
consideration.

Quality Customer Service

We aim to provide an excellent quality service to all our customers. If, for whatever reason, you are
unhappy with any aspect of the service you receive from us, we urge you to bring this to the attention of
the unit or staff member concerned. This is important as it ensures that we are aware of the problem
and can take the appropriate steps to resolve it.
Please note, If the Public Appointments Service is not notified of any issues you experience in advance
of or on the day of your assessment/interview, we will not be in a position to address these after the
fact. Feedback will be provided on written request. A request for feedback does not impact on the
timeframe set out for seeking a review.

General Data Protection Regulation

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force on the 25th May 2018, replacing the
existing data protection framework under the EU Data Protection Directive.
When you register with publicjobs.ie or submit an application for a competition, we create a computer
record in your name. Information submitted with a job application is used in processing your
application. Where the services of a third party are used in processing your application, it may be
required to provide them with information, however you will be advised of this in advance of the
assessment and all necessary precautions will be taken to ensure the security of your data. If you are
successful following Stage 2 of the selection process, your contact information (as provided on your
application form) will be provided to AGS in order to facilitate further stages of the selection process.
Equality Monitoring Data will be collected by PAS on the Application Form. This information is collected
for statistical purposes and will be anonymised. Where appropriate, this anonymised statistical
information will be shared with AGS.
To make a request to access your personal data, in the case of the Public Appointments Service,
please submit your request by email to: dpo@publicjobs.ie.
In the case of An Garda Síochána, please submit your request in writing to:

The Data Protection Co-Ordinator,
Garda Data Protection Office,
Capel Street,
Dublin 1.
Email: DataProtection@Garda.ie

Ensure that you describe the records you seek in the greatest possible detail to enable identification of
the relevant record(s).
Information in relation to a candidate’s personal data held by the Public Appointments Service are set
out on the Data Protection page of www.publicjobs.ie

Protected Disclosures
The PAS Protected Disclosures Policy (including Reporting Options for all those covered by the Policy)
is available at:
Protected Disclosures Policy.pdf (publicjobs.ie)

Appendix A – Self-Assessment Questionnaire

This short questionnaire encourages you to review how your qualifications, interests, skills and
experiences match the challenging requirements of a Garda Trainee.
Please work through the statements below and decide on the response that best reflects your level of
agreement with each statement. This questionnaire will not form any part of the selection process you
are encouraged to consider all statements in advance of proceeding with your application.

This questionaire can be downloaded in table form on the official PDF

Could You:

Work in a role with incredible variety
Confidently use IT packages & software
Develop a range of new skills that you can apply in your role
Tell a parent that their child has been killed
Understand the complexities of relevant legislation and apply it in your role
Perform CPR on a critically injured person
Maintain a good level of fitness
Enforce legislation that you personally disagree with
Arrest someone who you know to be a fundamentally honest and decent person, but who has broken the law
Do tasks that you have been assigned that you don’t particularly want to do
Cope with large amounts of blood and other severe injuries
Understand that in the role you will have to deal with a huge amount of negativity, crime & suffering but need to maintain a positive perspective
Physically tackle someone resisting arrest
Work for one organisation for your whole career
Build close working relationships with your colleagues
Obey a lawful order that may put you in danger
Build strong links with a community
Go through the possessions of a body to try to find ID
Maintain your composure, even when severely provoked
Be the first port of call for someone who has been sexually assaulted
Adopt the shift work pattern used in An Garda Síochána,
which means having to work throughout the night where, unlike some roles, sleeping is not permitted on duty
Maintain your resilience in the face of negative coverage and unfair criticism
Appreciate that even in social situations, you are likely to be introduced to others as Garda and some people will instantly make up their mind about you
Always carry your Garda ID, even when off duty
Build strong links with the community where you work
Work holidays including Christmas, Easter and Weekends
Appreciate that not everyone who joins will be promoted through the ranks
Deal with life and death situations, sometimes on a daily basis
Carry out an arrest in a public place where you may be filmed on mobile phones
Remain dispassionate and carry out your duties, even in very difficult circumstances
Appreciate that your friends/family may worry about you and your career choice
Go on the beat alone
Provide help and assistance to people who need it
Make a huge difference to the lives of others