Age Limit To Join Gardaí Raised From 35 To 50

The age limit for joining An Garda Síochána is to be increase from 35 to 50, according to Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

The minister has said that the change to entry requirement is to give as many people the opportunity to join as possible. She said that she will bring proposals to increase the application age limit to the Government for approval shortly.

This comes following the retention and recruitment crisis, which has led to the enrolment targets consistently being missed over the years.

Ms McEntee has said that when it comes to the retention and recruitment of Gardaí, nothing is off the table.

The Justice Minister also revealed that she is currently in discussions with Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe about the current gardaí retirement age, which currently stands at 60. 

According to McEntee, the age limit should go beyond 60. "I want to change it and I'm in discussions with the Minister for Public Expenditure. We haven't reached a conclusion but that is where I hope to get", she said. 

"Everybody will still have to do fitness test," she continued. "Our population is growing, we need to see that garda workforce grows with it". 

"Nothing is off the table to support the gardaí and the work they are doing. It’s my job to support them in every way that we can".

The Government have also stated their commitment to bring the strength of An Garda Síochána up to 15,000. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris is to attend a graduation ceremony of 126 new Gardaí in Templemore later today.

Following this, there is to be 14,032 Gardaí in Ireland.

An Garda Síochána have also faced calls to review its uniform and dress policy, after three trainees were sent home from Templemore Garda Training College, after being asked to remove tattoos.

When asked about this, Helen McEntee has said that it would not be appropriate to comment on this.

"While I have a say on a lot of things, this is not something I have a role in," she said. "It is not a decision for me to make".