Gardaí admit long vetting waits resulting in candidates leaving process

James Cox

An Garda Síochána has admitted the length of the vetting process "has resulted in candidates removing themselves from the process".

Several candidates have contacted BreakingNews.ie to express their frustration over delays due to "suitability checks", as they await completed vetting over a year after finishing their applications.

The rigorous process includes several stages, including exams, interviews, fitness tests, medical examinations, and thorough security vetting.

These individuals are from the 2022 and 2023 competitions, and are still waiting to see if they will be admitted to the Garda College.

They also expressed frustration at a change to the system, in response to efforts to boost Garda unmbers, which saw 2024 applicants admitted while their vetting is still ongoing.

In response to a query from BreakingNews.ie, An Garda Síochána confirmed this change, and admitted some people had withdrawn from the process due to long waits.

A Garda spokesperson said: "Based on feedback from candidates in the Garda recruitment process and the concerns of Garda associations on Garda numbers, the Garda Trainee process has been reviewed to ensure every opportunity is being utilised to grow the service.

"Recent new joiners and prospective candidates have told us that our process is too long and that the point at which we make offers into the Garda College is too late, with candidates reporting insufficient time to organise their current work and family arrangements. This has resulted in candidates removing themselves from the process or deferring to later intakes.

"As a result, the decision point at which candidates are invited to join the Garda trainee intake for December 2024 was brought forward. Vetting standards for Garda trainees remain the same."

The spokesperson added: "To improve our efficiency and the candidate experience, once the candidate has completed the stages of the selection process - the online assessment, interview, physical competency test, drugs test and stage 1 of the extensive vetting process - they are invited to take up a trainee position.

"They are advised that the vetting process will continue and may extend into the training period. In order to attest as a full member of An Garda Síochána, the vetting process must be completed by no later than the end of the training period."

In response to the question on delays in suitability checks, they said: "Without commenting on individuals, a number of Garda trainee candidates remain in enhanced security vetting. This is for a variety of reasons such as having lived abroad, which requires checks with international police services. We are endeavouring to advance these to the decision phase as quickly as possible."

In December, a Garda applicant who withdrew from the process due to the long wait, told BreakingNews.ie that they feel Garda management is "making a total mockery of all candidates still waiting from 2022 and 2023".

The delays come amid continual recruitment and retention issues in An Garda Síochána.

According to recent figures An Garda Síochána has an 'available strength' of 13,916. That is despite government targets for the force to hit 15,000.

Almost all political parties, inside and outside of government, have put forward plans to increase the numebrs, including a second Garda College to add to the one in Templemore, Co Tipperary.