Issue Date: 11/05/2026
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan TD, and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly have today launched a new recruitment campaign for An Garda Síochána.
The competition opened today Monday, 11 May 2026, and will remain open until Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at 3pm. Applications are being managed by publicjobs on behalf of An Garda Síochána and can be submitted via www.publicjobs.ie.
This campaign highlights the breadth of career paths in An Garda Síochána – from front-line policing, to working in the Dog Unit, to participating in Crimecall, or to climbing the ranks and working in senior management. Working in An Garda Síochána offers an active, varied working environment that goes beyond desk-based duties and supports the local community as part of daily work.
A new element in this campaign is that candidates with a musical background are encouraged to apply, as the Garda Band is open to new members. Candidates who indicate their interest on the application will be considered for a future audition for the Garda Síochána Band, following successful completion of Garda training, and the probationary period. The starting salary for a Garda member is now €39,194, rising incrementally. Gardaí work a 12-hour core shift roster with additional allowances and opportunities for overtime.
Garda trainees get paid while earning a Degree and having the cost of accommodation and meals covered. Trainees receive €354 per week during the 36-week programme at the Garda College, where accommodation and meals are provided free of charge. Graduates earn a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick. Recent recruitment trends highlight growing diversity and broader age representation; at the latest attestation there were 42 members who were over 30 years of age, and a number of members who were born outside Ireland, including in India, Spain, Poland and the United States.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said:
"I very much welcome the launch of the latest Garda recruitment campaign. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is continuing apace. 201 trainees entered the Garda Training college last week which is the fourth consecutive intake of over 200 trainees. This competition will ensure that there is a strong pipeline of new recruits which will continue to increase the size of the Garda organisation. "A career in An Garda Síochána is demanding, but it is particularly rewarding as their work is varied, and connects Gardaí to the communities they serve. I am committed to supporting Gardaí, both through the provision of resources and legislative provisions, to ensure that Gardaí on the frontline have the skills and equipment they need.
"On entering An Garda Síochána you will be joining an organisation which is over 100 years old and has a proud tradition of community-focused policing. Becoming a Garda is an opportunity to continue that tradition. You will ensure that An Garda Síochána continues to meet the ever-evolving demands of policing and national security. I would encourage everyone who is interested to consider that opportunity."
Speaking today, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said, "Being a Garda is a tough job, but I know from personal experience how rewarding it can be. There are not many jobs where you can make a positive difference to people and communities every day.
It can also offer career opportunities in varied and interesting roles. As a Garda you can make a significant contribution to public safety through a variety of roles, including community policing, investigating domestic abuse, and tackling organised crime.
I want to encourage people from all backgrounds to join An Garda Síochána. It is important that we represent the communities we serve.
Being a Garda is definitely a job worth doing.”
Campaign Details
To promote the recruitment competition, a €345,000 (incl VAT) promotional campaign, under the tag line of "It’s a Job Worth Doing” will go live across online video, national and local print and radio, social media, and outdoor from Monday the 11th of May. The campaign focuses on the positive impact Gardaí have on people and communities across a variety of policing roles. It was produced by Core and Spark Foundry in conjunction with creative video agency Rubberduck.
Interested applicants will have just over three weeks to apply, with the competition closing on Wednesday the 3rd of June at 3pm. Visit www.publicjobs.ie/en/garda-traineefor more information and to submit your application. You can also find additional resources on the garda website, www.garda.ie/recruitment/
Why Join An Garda Síochána
Those interested in pursuing a career with An Garda Síochána should consider the below additional benefits to the basic salary:
- The Foundation Training Programme that all trainees undergo incorporates a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick - Garda Trainees will receive an allowance of €354 per week for the 36 weeks of training - Accommodation and food is provided while resident in the Garda College from Sunday to Friday - Starting salary is €39,194 and this rises incrementally - Garda Trainees will be assigned to work the core shift roster (12 hours) which attracts additional allowances - Gardaí may have the opportunity to work on overtime which is paid at a rate of time and a half, unless working on a Sunday/public holiday which is paid at double time - The Fast Accrual (Uniformed) Members Pension Scheme allows members to build up pension benefits at a higher rate each year - Flexible working options available throughout career - Access to the Doctors of Choice GP scheme (GP consultation fee is covered by An Garda Síochána) - Access to the Medical Aid Scheme - Access to numerous Garda societies and clubs - Access to Garda Credit Unions.
Campaign success
Since Garda recruitment recommenced, and the first Garda Trainees entered the Garda College in December 2022;
- Over 2,700 Garda Trainees have entered the Garda College - Nearly 2,000 Probationer Gardaí have attested to An Garda Síochána - Over 628 Garda recruits are currently undergoing the training programme at the Garda College.
Recruit classes are now entering the Garda College every 11-12 weeks.
Gardaí on why they joined An Garda Síochána
Garda Alan Cummins, Garda Dog Unit
"I am a serving dog handler responsible for two working Garda dogs. Thor is a German Shepherd and is a general purpose police dog. He finds people and deals with Public Disorder. Bouncer is a Springer Spaniel and he is my drugs, cash and firearms search dog. I have been in the dog unit nine years and prior to that I was stationed in the heart of the city in Kevin St, and Kilmainham. I will have 20 years’ service this year”.
"I joined because I wanted a challenging, exciting career where every day was different. So far as a career it has lived up to that. That may be helping detain a violent criminal, find a vulnerable missing person and get them help, or help locate and remove dangerous drugs and firearms from the street. All of this work gives me a sense that I, a part of a much larger team, help to make the place a little safer”.
Garda Gerard O' Daly, Garda Water Unit
"I joined An Garda Síochána in November 2002 and have been attached to the Garda Water Unit for the past 18 years. The Garda Water Unit’s role is to provide support in underwater and confined space searches, often in hazardous environments at a national level, in addition to providing a policing presence for waterborne security operations and marine patrols.
I am a qualified Garda Diver, Dive Supervisor, Swift Water and Flood Rescue Technician, Advanced Powerboat Coxswain and qualified to operate in confined spaces. I enjoy the diversity that working in the unit provides and working in a team environment”.
Garda Lisa Halligan, Garda Mounted Unit "As part of the training staff attached to the Garda Mounted Unit, we work very hard to ensure our horses are trained to the highest standard.
They are asked to work in very volatile situations and need to be ready when asked to support our colleagues all over the country. The public disorder in Citywest last year was one such incident. The horses remained calm while missiles were being thrown and Gardaí were targeted.
They provided a reassuring presence as part of the public order unit over several days. There is great trust between horse and rider. We are always proud of the work our horses do and the courage they show"
Garda Gregory Freegrove, Community Policing
"I was appointed as a Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) in Dun Laoghaire Garda Station in 2018, and I find it’s a very fulfilling and rewarding role.
An enjoyable part of being a JLO is meeting young people from all walks of life, many of whom are dealing with similar problems and issues, and working with them and their families to overcome their difficulties, and assist them in turning a corner. When it is successful, it is extremely rewarding. I am also a regular contributor to Crime Call, which I find is not only a change of scenery, but also a way to engage with people from across the country”
Detective Garda Joanne Browne, Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau
"I joined on An Garda Síochána nearly 16 years ago. I always had an interest due to family members being in the organisation, and felt it was a career I would be suited to as I liked to work and help people. Having tried out other careers and researching the organisation, I applied in 2009 just before the global recession - I was successful, and have never looked back”.
