The Panel

Pappa Charlie

Think it said they expect 27,000 to apply, I can't see them confining themselves to 1,100 reserves when they have the pick of 27,000. I'm sure they are all voters and want jobs as well so the government will want to court them and their votes. Anyway everyone should have an equal employment opportunity, especially those who had to leave for work who couldn't join the reserve! I do hope that those who made the panel are given priority for the first intake if they still meet the medical requirements

annlewis

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

I do hope that those who made the panel are given priority for the first intake if they still meet the medical requirements

I think that would be fair. The people on the panel have hung around here, kept themselves fit and active in the event of getting a call. To have background checks done again, medical and fitness is fine I think, but to have to go back to stage 1 after having previously passed everything that was asked of us in the may 2008 recruitment campaign is very unfair I think.
It all remains to be seen I suppose.

kevie84

Has anyone actually rang head quarters regarding the panel, all this speculation is simply resolved with a phone conversation. I have been on the panel for years and can’t see why dedicated individuals like myself and others have stayed fit and motivated for this opportunity have now to reapply for no apparent reason.
I am planning a letter of complaint as to why more tax payer’s money is to be wasted when savings can already be made by taking from the current panel.

Sierra Oscar

kevie84 wrote: »

Has anyone actually rang head quarters regarding the panel, all this speculation is simply resolved with a phone conversation. I have been on the panel for years and can’t see why dedicated individuals like myself and others have stayed fit and motivated for this opportunity have now to reapply for no apparent reason.
I am planning a letter of complaint as to why more tax payer’s money is to be wasted when savings can already be made by taking from the current panel.

I don't really understand the confusion surrounding the panel. The Minister effectively stated last February that it would not be taken into consideration when a new campaign starts.

Unfair I know, but not surprising considering the current panel has been in place for years and that the contract and training for new entrants will have changed when recruitment does restart.

Garda recruits panel have to re-apply for jobs

... "In light of this and in view of the fact that the existing garda recruitment panel is now approximately five years old, it is unlikely that the existing panel will be used in any future recruitment," the Minister said ...

kev-bt

The confusion is that we were never officially notified so unless you follow these threads on board people on the panel wouldn't have a clue Shatter made these comments.

I e-mailed Shatter's office a few weeks ago and got the reply below. It looks ominous but he states that no final decision has been made yet. I would advise people here that are on the panel to e-mail him for the sake of making him aware there might be a small backlash if we are scrapped at this stage.

I can understand things have changed in five years but if the appitude test and interview format are the same I don't see why we should have to repeat these, costing us and the government money.


"I am directed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan
Shatter T.D., to refer to your recent email regarding the recruitment
panel.

The Minister intends bringing proposals to Government shortly in relation
to the strength of the Garda Síochána and when recruitment might
recommence. While no final decision has been taken in relation to the
recruitment panel created as a result of the last recruitment process, the
fact that this panel is now approximately five years old gives rise to
significant issues which will have to be taken into account.

The Minister understands that those on the panel are seeking clarity and he
will ensure that you are notified as soon as a decision is reached.

I trust this clarifies the situation for you."

thekopend

The panel will definatly have to do medical/fitness and background tests again. In my opinion it is easier to put them through the whole process with the other 27000. The whole argument of wasting taxpayers money won't float if you ask me. What is the extra cost of 150 people on the panel going through the process if they will be doing tens of thousands of people anyway. If they are going to the bother of doing a new campaign that tells me that the panel are gone. It would have been already said that there was a panel to go trough first and remaining places open for competition if that was the case but nothing like that was said

Pappa Charlie

kevie84 wrote: »

Has anyone actually rang head quarters regarding the panel, all this speculation is simply resolved with a phone conversation. I have been on the panel for years and can’t see why dedicated individuals like myself and others have stayed fit and motivated for this opportunity have now to reapply for no apparent reason.
I am planning a letter of complaint as to why more tax payer’s money is to be wasted when savings can already be made by taking from the current panel.

Hold your fire with your letter until your sure whats happening, you don't want to bring attention on yourself when your at their mercy!

kdarragh

thekopend wrote: »

The panel will definatly have to do medical/fitness and background tests again. In my opinion it is easier to put them through the whole process with the other 27000. The whole argument of wasting taxpayers money won't float if you ask me. What is the extra cost of 150 people on the panel going through the process if they will be doing tens of thousands of people anyway. If they are going to the bother of doing a new campaign that tells me that the panel are gone. It would have been already said that there was a panel to go trough first and remaining places open for competition if that was the case but nothing like that was said

Totally agree with you on this one. Hopefully we're wrong but the Minister would have said it by now if we were going to be taken down to Templemore.

I think it speaks volumes that so many of us have stayed interested, fair play to everyone who has and if the tests are to be re-done, it can only be a positive thing at the interview stage that this is your second crack at it having been already cleared for entry to Templemore in the past.

annlewis

kdarragh wrote: »

I think it speaks volumes that so many of us have stayed interested, fair play to everyone who has and if the tests are to be re-done, it can only be a positive thing at the interview stage that this is your second crack at it having been already cleared for entry to Templemore in the past.

Well here's hoping we get some serious consideration to stay put seeing as we did all the necessary bits at the time to get through in 2008/9.
Shatter hasn't fully confirmed if the panel is to be kept. In fairness, it wasn't our fault they closed the gates on us

kevie84

I'm planning on contacting HQ tomorrow to find out in detail what is happening but as per the guys down there will be as much in the dark as ourselves.
It's probable that we may have to reapply and take it stage by stage again, expectance of 27000 to apply for what I'd imagine would be 100 places . Staying positive but that's like a 2% chance ha ha

annlewis

kevie84 wrote: »

I'm planning on contacting HQ tomorrow to find out in detail what is happening but as per the guys down there will be as much in the dark as ourselves.
It's probable that we may have to reapply and take it stage by stage again, expectance of 27000 to apply for what I'd imagine would be 100 places . Staying positive but that's like a 2% chance ha ha

That's all we can do Kevie and fingers crossed they will be able to tell us something. If we need to reapply we will. I certainly will anyway.

kdarragh

kevie84 wrote: »

I'm planning on contacting HQ tomorrow to find out in detail what is happening but as per the guys down there will be as much in the dark as ourselves.
It's probable that we may have to reapply and take it stage by stage again, expectance of 27000 to apply for what I'd imagine would be 100 places . Staying positive but that's like a 2% chance ha ha

0.37% chance.

kevie84

kdarragh wrote: »

0.37% chance.

Ha ha fine math mate!

stephenjmcd

Figures of 4-500 being thrown about today

msg11

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Figures of 4-500 being thrown about today

Dunno if it's anything but my store manager told me today that it's definitely 400 they are taking on. He said also that with such a high volume of applications there will be a new process. He agreed that taking from the pool of reserves would be the most reasonable option, but it's not legal.

Again all hear say until Shatter says so. I'm in the Reserves and been honest its literally a free for all application wise. Best of luck, if you get in consider yourself extremely talented.

thekopend

msg11 wrote: »

Best of luck, if you get in consider yourself extremely talented.

yah either that or you have more pull than the rest of the applicants :rolleyes:

Pappa Charlie

thekopend wrote: »

yah either that or you have more pull than the rest of the applicants :rolleyes:

That's always a great consolation line for those who don't make it!!

thekopend

Pappa Charlie wrote: »

That's always a great consolation line for those who don't make it!!

thats reality..

stephenjmcd

Its all about luck, do you stand out from the rest etc what skills you have. I will be applying. They cant pull from reserves as its not legal

3fullback

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Its all about luck, do you stand out from the rest etc what skills you have. I will be applying. They cant pull from reserves as its not legal

Can you support that claim regarding the legality of pulling from the reserves !

stephenjmcd

3fullback wrote: »

Can you support that claim regarding the legality of pulling from the reserves !

Employment act , equal opportunities etc

Canyon86

By way the Minister is talking I do feel it will be an 'open door' recruitment,

Unfortunately (If it happened) it would be bad news for panel members,and it really would be, I do feel sorry for their wait,

I m sure an interview board would be impressed by both a previous panel member and serving reserve!,

I guess it comes down to doing a decent aptitude test

3fullback

But surly if everyone who was taken in was a reserve the public have no case as they clearly have more experience !

stephenjmcd

3fullback wrote: »

But surly if everyone who was taken in was a reserve the public have no case as they clearly have more experience !

Its different and longer training for full time, i know a reservist and full time gaurd and they agree on this, its going to be open to anyone, just as your in the reserves doesn't mean you get in, you have to do the full lot like everyone else. at the end of the day your still a civilian and not a public sector worker

stephenjmcd

I will be applying and have been registered on public jobs for a while. It will be very interesting to see how they handle such a large volume of applications. I would expect if your family has experience in this sector ie prisons , gaurds then they will look at you more favorably.

Canyon86

3fullback wrote: »

But surly if everyone who was taken in was a reserve the public have no case as they clearly have more experience !

True,

But the govt will prob want a 'broad' mix of recruits which bring different benefits ie from the panel,reserves and general public.

each bringing different qualities and experiences to the job

Raider190

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Its different and longer training for full time, i know a reservist and full time gaurd and they agree on this, its going to be open to anyone, just as your in the reserves doesn't mean you get in, you have to do the full lot like everyone else. at the end of the day your still a civilian and not a public sector worker

Just to state that a Garda Reserve is not a civilian.As it states on their identity card ........they are a member of An Garda Siochana and carry the rank of Reserve Garda

3fullback

Raider190 wrote: »

Just to state that a Garda Reserve is not a civilian.As it states on their identity card ........they are a member of An Garda Siochana and carry the rank of Reserve Garda

That's absolutely correct

Raider190

3fullback wrote: »

But surly if everyone who was taken in was a reserve the public have no case as they clearly have more experience !

This is exactly the case. Take the Private sector , when you apply for a job and obtain an interview it is previous experience which the employer is interested in. Another factor which will greatly influence the selection process is the risk factor of training and the expenditure on a trainee garda. With Reserve Garda the risk of a trainee completing his or hers taining is greatly reduced because they have an indepth knowledge of the job and how it will effect their professional and personal life , they have shown committement by joining the Reserve and will therefore be seen as a much better option in regard to training expenditure with very little risk that they will not complete their training and go on to provide 30 years service to An Garda Siochana.

Raider190

stephenjmcd wrote: »

Employment act , equal opportunities etc

This is incorrect. If it was a question of gender , racial , religous or sexual preference discremination then you would be correct.
It will come down to the simple benchmark who is better qualified and who will be the best person in which the state should invest their monies in order to get a justifiable return