Garda Recruitment - The Waiting Room

Waiting Game · 16-11-2010 11:52AM

It all depends who you talk to,my friend spoke to a Superintendent on my behalf who said there will be an intake early next year.I could talk to another high ranking Garda tomorrow and he/she might say that there won't be recruitment until 2013.
The truth is only Dermot Ahern and Brian Lenihan know.
My TD spoke with Dermot Ahern and confirmed panel is safe,other regular posters have received letters stating the same from their TD,Kildarestreet.com tells the same story.I assume from that , there will be recruitment before 2013 as panel won't be kept that long,I stress that's only my assumption.
I find it impossible to move on and won't until I get news,good or bad!
I hope to God I'm in next intake if not I'll apply again but at this moment in time I'm confident we'll be in Templemore next year.
I agree with itsallgood numbers aren't at an all time high,Fachtna Murphy has been quoted as saying that a recruitment embargo for the next couple of years would be detrimental to the force.

C-J · 16-11-2010 12:05PM

It's all getting very frustrating. However I think everybody should bear in mind that the first lesson taught in the hallowed walls of templemore is that of the art of pessimism, don't trust anybody! This should be put into practice on these boards, particularly those who say 'no intake until 2050' and the likes. I'd like to think that if Ireland is bailed out, an intake would be rushed through before we lose our sovereignty and control over such matters. Que sera sera!

woohoo · 16-11-2010 01:44PM

Completely agree CJ! NOBODY knows what is happening so I wouldn't listen to hear say.
I was speaking with a local politician recently and they advised to call back after the budget!!

iggymadden · 16-11-2010 02:56PM

woohoo wrote: »

Completely agree CJ! NOBODY knows what is happening so I wouldn't listen to hear say.
I was speaking with a local politician recently and they advised to call back after the budget!!

Very true. nobody really knows. hopefully we may get some answers after the budget.

HighTower88 · 16-11-2010 09:36PM

I was in Templemore two weeks ago doing reserve training and a sergeant who was a member of staff in the college told me that it was highly unlikely that there will be any intakes in 2011. I've been waiting over two years to get called for the full-time force and hearing this from a Sergeant was very disheartening.
My advice to anyone who is seriously considering joining An Garda Siochana would be to apply for the Garda Reserve. It gives you a huge insight into the training involved in becoming a Garda and also into the duties & responsibilities in which the job curtails. I was sceptical of joining it myself to begin with but I'm glad I did now. It has totally changed my perspective of the role of a Garda and has given me a taste of what life is like in Templemore. It could be a long time until the next intake of Garda trainees takes place. Being a member of the reserves makes the waiting a little more bearable.

Paudie223 · 17-11-2010 12:13AM

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2010/1116/1224283410640.html

The IMF will be moving in on us soon and I can promise you if they arrive there wont be any intake, it'll be the opposite. The UK seem to be a step ahead.

Will the last one out of Ireland please turn out the light!

Waiting Game · 17-11-2010 04:58AM

I know that if(more likely when) the IMF come in,they will be in control of our public finances but our country still needs gardai, granted it suits me to say that.I don't want to see us losing our independence but if we did receive a bail out it might release funds for garda recruitment along with other areas in the public sector such as frontline healthcare workers.The purpose of a bail out is to give the Govt. money to spend.We are fully funded till the middle of next year so there could be intake in that time period-only time will tell.

Waiting Game · 17-11-2010 04:27PM

I rang Garda H.R.M,I was told that as it currently stands panel is safe and it won't expire as we enter into the new year as they haven't heard anything to say otherwise.That 'could change' though with the IMF, if there's a change of govt,budget.At this stage,if I get the call I'll regard it as a bonus but there's still hope that's the main thing..

eru123 · 17-11-2010 11:14PM

there is an intake of reserves (40) every 3 months which isnt helping ye'r case either! of course their no replacement though.

Paudie223 · 17-11-2010 11:26PM

When you say "could change". Did a member of staff tell you that over the phone?

dentalnurse · 18-11-2010 08:21AM

eru123 wrote: »

there is an intake of reserves (40) every 3 months which isnt helping ye'r case either! of course their no replacement though.

Eru look at the past few months, reserves have taken a class for September, October, November and December. The next class is February. They are taking on alot. Not that I'm complaining because i'm waiting too but it's an eye-opener to see the amount they're taking on!!

senordingdong · 18-11-2010 08:42AM

dentalnurse wrote: »

Eru look at the past few months, reserves have taken a class for September, October, November and December. The next class is February. They are taking on alot. Not that I'm complaining because i'm waiting too but it's an eye-opener to see the amount they're taking on!!

Damn, I was hoping my comment from earlier wasn't a reality.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 09:05AM

Reserves will hit a maximum at 10% of the force, which is currently now at 14000, that means 1400 reserves and the number is almost reached.
Don't expect too many reserve classes after February.
This was the plan from the start when they also said garda numbers will be at 15000.
The only reason there is such a high number of classes coming through is when the new campaign was advertised in April people were duped into thinking they will only get into full time gardai if they are a reserve. Before the moratorium the reserves were seen as a failure due to the lack of interest.

I can only presume Garrymccann means the moratorium will be extended on the public sector for 4 years but allowances will be made in the frontline, otherwise he's talking pure BS with no source.

Even when the IMF do take over, Europe will see more gardai are needed.
Our policing numbers are smaller than that and have less resources then any other policing service throughout Europe.

dentalnurse · 18-11-2010 10:03AM

Itsallgood can I just say.. When have they been consistent with anything they have said??I'm just going to take whatever they say with a pinch of salt from now on... If they don't take on full time members let's just say for the next four years for arguements sake, they will take on more than 10% reserves. Even if it's 15% I bet they will go over! In my opinion..... :-)

Waiting Game · 18-11-2010 10:03AM

Yes,a member of staff and she just meant that she hasn't a crystal ball and can't predict the future of the panel.I explained to her what Dermot Ahern said in the Dail via kildarestreet.com and said you have nothing to worry about till you hear otherwise.
Warning:I'm going to go on a rant!At the end of the day Ahern has said panel is safe,he was pushing for a new garda recruitment campaign and intake last year.Why?Because he realises the need for gardai.Dept. of Finance didn't release funds.Central Bank Governor Honohan said that Ireland will more than likely receive a loan worth tens of billions.The Govt. will then have money to spend on recruitment,prison service have been waiting since '08 and are doing meds,physicals now,army are been taken in this year and new campaign kicked off.My TD told me late October Gardai will be next after army.
IMF giving us a bail out is unprecedented in the history of the state,truth is no-one really knows whats going to happen but my bet is on intake(s) next year.Please God!

iggymadden · 18-11-2010 10:14AM

sure hope your right waiting game. my fear is that any money recieved from europe will go straight to propping up the banks again and not employing more people in public sector, even if gardai are needed. its so difficult to predict. the flip side to this is, surely the cost of sending a batch to templmore is quite small considering the billions that ireland may recieve in fresh funding.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 10:15AM

dentalnurse wrote: »

Itsallgood can I just say.. When have they been consistent with anything they have said??I'm just going to take whatever they say with a pinch of salt from now on... If they don't take on full time members let's just say for the next four years for arguements sake, they will take on more than 10% reserves. Even if it's 15% I bet they will go over! In my opinion..... :-)

I know they are full of crap, but there is not a hope in hell no matter how bad things are that they can replace 1500-7000 (over 7000 will be eligible for retirement in that period) retired full-time gardai over 4 years with part time reserves that volunteer for a few hours a week.
I know everyone is being pessimistic and thinking worse case scenario but it is insane that people think reserves will replace full time members. Its a national police force not a fire service in a small village.
Frontline staff in the public service will be kept to a high level of staffing. Its the ridiculous amount of people working in unnecessary admin roles in the public sector that they need to get rid of and that shows with the proposal in the HSE.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 10:21AM

Rant was needed waiting game, I'm just surprised it was so short, people are posting random thoughts on worse case scenarios now and are beginning to believer there own thoughts as facts.
If the money from the IMF goes to bail out banks, which is what the government wants to use it for rather than bailing the state, then that frees up the same amount from the state so the worries of having to pay out the banks will ease.
Budgets will still have to make the cuts promised to EU but it does free up money for necessary things such as more front line staff.

Waiting Game · 18-11-2010 10:24AM

iggymadden wrote: »

sure hope your right waiting game. my fear is that any money recieved from europe will go straight to propping up the banks again and not employing more people in public sector, even if gardai are needed. its so difficult to predict. the flip side to this is, surely the cost of sending a batch to templmore is quite small considering the billions that ireland may recieve in fresh funding.

Yeah,I'm sure it will go to propping up the banks but then the govt. can use its own money on garda recruitment and other areas where funding is needed instead of pumping it into the banks..that's just my opinion.

dentalnurse · 18-11-2010 10:24AM

itsallgood wrote: »

I know they are full of crap, but there is not a hope in hell no matter how bad things are that they can replace 1500-7000 (over 7000 will be eligible for retirement in that period) retired full-time gardai over 4 years with part time reserves that volunteer for a few hours a week.
I know everyone is being pessimistic and thinking worse case scenario but it is insane that people think reserves will replace full time members. Its a national police force not a fire service in a small village.
Frontline staff in the public service will be kept to a high level of staffing. Its the ridiculous amount of people working in unnecessary admin roles in the public sector that they need to get rid of and that shows with the proposal in the HSE.

I see your point and you are dead right. Reserves don't have the same powers (for want of a better word) as full time, but I still see them taking on more to make it look like there's guards on the streets. I completely agree with what your saying at the same time. Look at the end of the day they have no choice but to recruit in the next year or so. 4years is laughable and just not possible. Looks like we all have a long wait either way, all I have done is shown an interest, I missed the last campaign, so I envy those who have come as far as to do a medical. You guys are in a better position than most. There is no way they will wipe it and start again, there would be uproar!!

Geansai · 18-11-2010 10:41AM

itsallgood wrote: »

If the money from the IMF goes to bail out banks, which is what the government wants to use it for rather than bailing the state, then that frees up the same amount from the state so the worries of having to pay out the banks will ease.
Budgets will still have to make the cuts promised to EU but it does free up money for necessary things such as more front line staff.

Unfortunately not. This money received from the bail out (if it happens) will itself have to be paid back.

This money is more like a bridging loan to keep us going while we make the cuts and the savings so that we can then repay it and keep ourselves going.

Not meaning to sound completely pessimistic, but the IMF or bail out fund would not be particulary good news for a recruitment campaign.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 10:44AM

dentalnurse wrote: »

I see your point and you are dead right. Reserves don't have the same powers (for want of a better word) as full time, but I still see them taking on more to make it look like there's guards on the streets. I completely agree with what your saying at the same time. Look at the end of the day they have no choice but to recruit in the next year or so. 4years is laughable and just not possible. Looks like we all have a long wait either way, all I have done is shown an interest, I missed the last campaign, so I envy those who have come as far as to do a medical. You guys are in a better position than most. There is no way they will wipe it and start again, there would be uproar!!

I know, but sometimes I wish I wasn't so far gone or even applied. Last 2 years has been hard, especially with lack of work.
HQ said that they wont scrap panel cause a lot of hard work and money has gone into getting it ready and still spending money on vetting etc.
Person I was talking to even got fairly annoyed at the thoughts of scrapping it.
Something will happen soon, Funds were promised and people are sitting and waiting for the call and publicjobs are waiting to start he campaign which is ready and just waiting for the go-ahead. we'll be there and qualified within 4 years, don't pay attention to some of the ******* **** ***** that post nonsense when they haven't a clue.

Waiting Game · 18-11-2010 10:48AM

That's a fair point Geansai but it will take years upon years to pay back the loan with an expected interest rate of 5%..public sector recruitment will take place within that time period.Frontline staff whether it be HSE,Gardai,prison service etc will still be required..

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 10:52AM

Gens wrote: »

Unfortunately not. This money received from the bail out (if it happens) will itself have to be paid back.

This money is more like a bridging loan to keep us going while we make the cuts and the savings so that we can then repay it and keep ourselves going.

Not meaning to sound completely pessimistic, but the IMF or bail out fund would not be particulary good news for a recruitment campaign.

Its a loan that has to be paid back like any other, but its a loan to run the country. It will be there to do what is necessary to run the country, it wont be put a side to pay back, defeats the whole purpose. Admin will be cut hugely in all sectors, these will be the big staffing cuts.
Law enforcement is a major part of the running of the country. With nearly half the force eligible for retirement with the next 2-3 years more gardai will be needed and they wont only start recruiting trainees when this happens, they will need to have gardai on the streets.
Something will be happening soon.
Similarly nurses and teachers and all frontline services will be fully resourced.

Geansai · 18-11-2010 10:53AM

Very true. Whatever the terms are of the bailout, the interest rates will be alot cheaper than the current bond rates.

And yes, it is true that frontline staff are needed so hopefully this is be enough.

The flip side is, its an easy cost saver to let numbers slide. It wasn't that many years ago that garda numbers were 12k. I really hope this isn't what the government are thinking, but in desperate times, this may be an easier fix than some of the ways they should be actually saving money.

Just to clarify, Im in no-way saying they should do this, but this governemnt seems to be all about the easy route and not the way it should be done. Just seems to me that this is a potentially easy route for them to take. Doing nothing will save them money.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 10:56AM

Geansai wrote: »

Very true. Whatever the terms are of the bailout, the interest rates will be alot cheaper than the current bond rates.

And yes, it is true that frontline staff are needed so hopefully this is be enough.

The flip side is, its an easy cost saver to let numbers slide. It wasn't that many years ago that garda numbers were 12k. I really hope this isn't what the government are thinking, but in desperate times, this may be an easier fix than some of the ways they should be actually saving money.

It sounds easier, but if the retirements peek with the likely pension cuts and taxing the lump sum they could be down to less then 12k in 2 months.
Will be interesting to see.
One thing is for sure that the gov will reward themselves with nice pay increases for their hard work.

dentalnurse · 18-11-2010 11:03AM

itsallgood wrote: »

I know, but sometimes I wish I wasn't so far gone or even applied. Last 2 years has been hard, especially with lack of work.
HQ said that they wont scrap panel cause a lot of hard work and money has gone into getting it ready and still spending money on vetting etc.
Person I was talking to even got fairly annoyed at the thoughts of scrapping it.
Something will happen soon, Funds were promised and people are sitting and waiting for the call and publicjobs are waiting to start he campaign which is ready and just waiting for the go-ahead. we'll be there and qualified within 4 years, don't pay attention to some of the ******* **** ***** that post nonsense when they haven't a clue.

Yeah I know this might sound petty compared to full time but I'm waiting on the reserves since 2008 and it's so frustrating. I hadn't realised the campaign was open until it had closed so I applied for the reserves, background checks took 18months alone, now I'm just waiting for a medical. It's very disheartening!! Nothing anybody can do now. I think the country needs an election...

thekopend · 18-11-2010 11:35AM

itsallgood wrote: »

It sounds easier, but if the retirements peek with the likely pension cuts and taxing the lump sum they could be down to less then 12k in 2 months.
Will be interesting to see.
One thing is for sure that the gov will reward themselves with nice pay increases for their hard work.

i dont hink that many will be allowed to retire in that short space of time, they have some method of controlling the amount of retirements as far as i no, sure during the large amount of retirements in 08/09 not all the people who put in for retirement got it.

itsallgood · 18-11-2010 11:37AM

thekopend wrote: »

i dont hink that many will be allowed to retire in that short space of time, they have some method of controlling the amount of retirements as far as i no, sure during the large amount of retirements in 08/09 not all the people who put in for retirement got it.

People that werent granted it were looking for early retirement, those that are of age cannot be stopped.

Delancey · 18-11-2010 12:40PM

Geansai wrote: »

Unfortunately not. This money received from the bail out (if it happens) will itself have to be paid back.

This money is more like a bridging loan to keep us going while we make the cuts and the savings so that we can then repay it and keep ourselves going.

Not meaning to sound completely pessimistic, but the IMF or bail out fund would not be particulary good news for a recruitment campaign.

+ 1 . Alas the bail out money ( and there will be a bail out ) is ear marked for the banks.
With the IMF in town the situation re. recruitment is , in my opinion , not looking great . We constantly hear the refrain both from Garda Management and the GRA that the country needs more guards , however if you look at the number of AGS members versus the number of population it can actually be seen that Ireland is a heavily policed country as it is.
I saw the stats a while back and though I can't remember any of the numbers therein it could be seen that AGS is a large force for the population by the standards of other European countries , the implications are obvious : IMF could order the Government to trim the force to a size more in line with the average elsewhere .

By the standards of other forces AGS are woefully behind the times with the process of civilianisation - The Met ceased using Police Officers to guard Scotland Yard in the 1970's - last time I walked past the depot it still Gardai manning the gate - this was last year.
Who remembers the crazy situation where 900 civilians were recruited to allow Guards to be redeployed to street duties ? In the end only 45 Gardai returned to core policing duties !
Manpower management does not seem to be something AGS management are strong in and that weakness may be about to be exposed by the IMF.

Garda Recruitment - The Waiting Room

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