Templemore Garda College welcomes highest intake of trainee Garda since 2014

Templemore Garda college has welcomed the largest intake of Garda trainees since 2014.

In the fourth intake this year, 223 entered the Garda Training College in Templemore this week. Overall, 794 trainees have entered the Garda College in 2025, the highest number since 2018.

Over 11,100 people applied to join An Garda Síochána this year demonstrating the strong and sustained interest in a career as a Garda.

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Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said:

“I have stated that increasing the number of Gardaí is one of my key priorities. I am delighted to see 223 trainees enter Templemore.

“We live in a country where people want to see Gardaí in their communities which is hugely positive. As a government, we are supporting the Garda Commissioner in his implementation of highly visible policing operations across the country. Taking in the highest number of trainees in 7 years will go some way to achieving that.

“We committed to a range of actions in the Programme for Government to provide the Commissioner with the resources needed to deliver a modern and highly-visible policing service now and into the future. I engage regularly with the Commissioner to ensure he has the support needed so that he can make the best use of the resources at his disposal.”

In recent years, the Government has introduced a number of initiatives to boost the number of Gardaí. These include increasing the maximum age of entry from 35 to 50, increasing the trainee allowance to €354 per week, and increasing the mandatory age of retirement to 62.

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An Garda Síochána introduced measures to make the recruitment process more efficient. This includes the reform of the physical competency test, the introduction of a candidate-centred approach to elements of the recruitment process and the rationalisation of the vetting processes.

The average length of time between a successful candidate submitting an application to join An Garda Síochána and entering Templemore is now 24 weeks, down from an average of 66 weeks in 2023.

Minister Jim O’Callaghan added:

“The actions taken by government and An Garda Síochána to enhance recruitment are proving to be effective. A very high number of people, from a broad range of backgrounds, are applying to become a Garda.

“Those who are successful are entering Templemore more quickly than before. I commend An Garda Síochána and publicjobs for their work. They have made changes to their processes which have led to real improvements in how Gardaí are recruited. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is now gathering real momentum.

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“We are fortunate to have full employment in our country, but that brings challenges. An Garda Síochána is showing that they can provide people with an commitment to public service with a rewarding career. Over 11,100 people applied to join An Garda Síochána this year. We are also seeing an increase in the number of people applying to re-enter the organisation.

“Now, we need to build on these successes. We need to see more Gardaí in our towns and villages. I will continue to work with the Garda Commissioner to maintain this increased rate of recruitment and, indeed, build on it. The Government provided An Garda Síochána with a Budget of €2.59 billion for 2026 to support this work.”