The Garda College in Templemore will shortly resound to the march of new recruits. Bereft of its main function since 2009 it will welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, that adverts will appear in December 2013 seeking applications. The revelation that there some 30,000 expressions of interest to join the force is phenomenal and
shows the high regard which the public has for its security force.
The other interesting information released by the Minister was that it was a priority that the force should be maintained above 13,000 in strength.
Garda Reserve
It was acknowledged that members of the Garda Reserve may have a “competitive advantage” on other candidates given that they had completed some training. There are some 1,129 reservists with a further 187 in training.