Issue Date: 06/02/2026
This morning, 6th February 2026, 167 Gardaí were attested as sworn members of An Garda Síochána.
Strength of An Garda Síochána (6th February 2026):
- 14,564 Sworn Gardaí • 3,692 Garda Staff • 308 Garda Reserves • 625 Garda Trainees*
Probationer Gardaí (Intake 252):
- 100 Male/ 67 Female (60% male, 40% female) • 23 Gardaí born outside the State (Australia, Brazil, Croatia, England, Guatemala, India, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Poland, Romania, Slovakia).
These 167 newly-sworn Gardaí will now take on operational responsibilities and will be allocated as follows:
- Dublin Region 104 • Eastern Region 31 • Southern Region 21 • North Western Region 11
NB: The allocation of Probationer Gardaí is initially to Training Garda Stations and allows for consequential inter-divisional transfers of other members.
These newly-attested 167 members of An Garda Síochána were recruited as part of the 2024/25 recruitment campaigns.
170 trainees commenced training in Intake 252 on the 9th June 2025 and have undertaken a blend of on-site learning in the Garda College, and experiential learning in training Garda stations.
The 167 newly-attested Gardaí bring to nearly 1,800 the number of Probationer Gardaí attested since recruitment recommenced in 2022 (post Covid).
*Ongoing Recruitment:
A further 410 Garda recruits (Intakes 253, 254) are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.
The next intake of Garda recruits (Intake 261) of up to 215 Garda Trainees, will enter the Garda College on Monday 9th February 2026.
Intake 261 will bring to over 2,500, the number of Garda Trainees that have started in the Garda College since recruitment recommenced in 2022 post Covid.
Recruit classes continue to enter the Garda College every 11 - 12 weeks.
Garda Recruitment:
Garda Recruitment is a multi-stage 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.
