Issue Date: 19/06/2026
• 40% of applicants for most recent competition were aged 30 or over
• 22% of applicants described themselves as other than "white Irish”
• 33% of applicants were women
There have been over 15,000 applications to three Garda recruitment competitions held since February 2025.
The latest competition, which closed on 3 June 2026, attracted 4,115 applications. This comes after competitions held in September and February 2025 combined received more than 11,000 applications.
This recent competition saw strong interest from people over 30 with 40% of applicants in this age category.
The latest competition also maintained the trend of increased diversity of applicants.
Applications from categories other than "white Irish” accounted for 22% of all applications. This included "Asian” (4%), "black” (2%), "any other white – apart from white Irish” (18%).
The total number of people who described themselves as "white Irish” was 75%.
In 2019, the percentage of Garda recruitment applicants describing themselves as "white Irish” was 88%.
Over 30% (33%) of the applicants were female. Currently, 29% of Gardaí are female. This is higher than the average for European police services.
The competition is conducted by publicjobs on behalf of An Garda Síochána.
publicjobs, who are conducting the recruitment competition on behalf of An Garda Síochána, will now commence assessing the eligibility of applicants who will now enter a competitive selection process involving a number of stages.
• Stage 1 is comprised of online verbal and numerical reasoning tests, an assessment questionnaire and written exercise.
• Stage 2 is a competency-based interview.
• Stage 3 (conducting by An Garda Síochána) is comprised of eligibility checks including the fitness test, medical and substance misuse (controlled drug) testing and vetting.
It is anticipated that some successful candidates from this competition will start training in the Garda College before the end of this year.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said: "This is the third Garda Trainee Recruitment Competitions we’ve held over the past 15 months and I’m very pleased to see the continued high level of interest.
For many, joining An Garda Síochána is a calling, it shows a person’s commitment not only to securing a great career, but to making a difference in their communities. We look forward to welcoming these new Garda Trainees and supporting them as they build a career based on our values of Honesty, Accountability, Respect, Professionalism and Empathy.”
The current number of Gardaí is 14,621 (31st May 2026).
Currently, there are 621 Garda Trainees in training.
The next class of Garda Trainees will be sworn-in as Gardaí in July 2026 and join frontline colleagues.
Recruit classes are now entering the Garda College every 12 weeks.
An Garda Síochána offers a unique training experience where candidates get paid during training and graduate with a Level 7 degree.
Garda Trainees are paid €354 per week for the 36 weeks of training in the Garda College and graduate with a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Policing accredited by the University of Limerick. Food and accommodation is provided free while resident in the Garda College.
The latest recruitment competition was supported by a €442,000 (incl. VAT) promotional campaign, under the tag line of "It’s a Job Worth Doing” across online video, national and local print and radio, social media, and outdoor advertising.
