This morning 13th December 2024, 169 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána. • 119 Male/ 50 Female (70% male, 30% female) • 14 Gardaí born outside the state – Estonia, New Zealand, England, Serbia, Brazil, Romania, Latvia, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Spain, Northern Ireland • 4 probationers were former Reserve Gardaí These 169 newly sworn Gardaí will now take on operational responsibilities and will be allocated as follows: • Dublin Region 96 • Eastern Region 31 • Southern Region 18 • NorthWestern Region 24 Strength of An Garda Síochána (13th December 2024) • 14,220 Sworn Gardaí • 3,699 Garda Staff • 319 Garda Reserves A further 277 Garda recruits (intakes 242, 243) are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College. The next intake of Garda recruits (intake 244) is scheduled to enter the Garda College on Monday 16th December 2024. These newly attested 169 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2022/ 2023 recruitment campaigns. The new Gardaí commenced their Garda training in April 2024 and have undertaken a blend of on-line learning, on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations. Speaking at today’s attestation, Commissioner Drew Harris welcoming the new Garda probationers said; "I want to thank each and every one of you for choosing a career in An Garda Síochána. For choosing to serve the people of Ireland. To put them first. To put them at the heart of your professional career. Because that is what Gardaí do. " Garda Commissioner Harris reminded the new probationers of the words of the first Garda Commissioner: "An Garda Síochána will succeed not by force of arms or numbers, but on their moral authority as servants of the people”. That ethos stands as firm today as when those words were first uttered. It is our responsibility as serving Gardaí – including you – to maintain this high level of service and ensure this great legacy continues.” Garda Commissioner finished by acknowledging the job of a member of An Garda Síochána "It is a heavy burden, but you do not carry it alone. You are supported. You are part of a team. You are part of a community. And I know you can deliver, because this is the job of a Garda. And it’s a job worth doing.” Background Information: Regional Allocation: Probationer Allocation Dublin 96 East 31 South 18 NorthWest 24 169 NB: The allocation of Probationer Gardaí is initially to Training Garda Stations and also allows for consequential inter-divisional transfers of other members. Ongoing Recruitment: A further 277 Garda recruits (intakes 242, 243) are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College. The next intake of Garda recruits (intake 244) is scheduled to enter the Garda College on Monday 16th December 2024. Recruit classes are now entering the Garda College every 11 - 12 weeks. Since the 1st Garda recruits, post-covid, entered the Garda College in December 2022, including Intake 244 due to commence next Monday 16th December 2024, nearly 1,500 Garda Trainees will have started training in the Garda College. The 169 newly attested Gardaí bring to 987 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment recommenced and the first recruits, post-covid, entered the Garda College in December 2022. Garda Recruitment is a multistage process. Public Appointments Service (PAS) phase: • Stage 1: Following completion of the online application form, candidates are required to complete online Verbal, Numerical Assessment Tests and Questionnaires. • Stage 2: Successful candidates at stage 1 are invited to undertake a competency based interview. Following Interview PAS provide details of successful candidate to An Garda Síochána to undergo Stage 3, Appointments Process. The appointments process is conducted by An Garda Síochána. During the appointments process candidates must complete • Physical Competence Test (PCT) • Medical Examination • Substance Misuse (Controlled Drug) Testing • Vetting In successful completion of all the above parts a candidate may be invited to partake in the Foundation Training Programme as Recruit Gardaí. • Phase 1 of the Foundation Training Programme takes 32 weeks and includes o Stage 1 – Garda College o Stage 2 – Experiential, Observational learning Stage in Operational Garda Stations o Stage 3 – Capstone stage, Garda College At the completion of Phase 1 of the Foundation Training Programme Recruit Gardaí are attested and become Probationer Gardaí. | 