Garda Trainee 2026 - General Competition

Character You must be of good character.

As a modern and progressive policing service, An Garda Síochána seeks candidates who display the highest standards of behaviour and maintain a network of influence of equally good character.

Nationality You must, by the closing date for application to this competition be:

A. A national of a European Union Member State; or

B. A national of a European Economic Area State, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the Swiss Confederation; or

C. Under the International Protection Act, 2015 and in compliance with the Admissions and Appointments Regulations 2013, as amended, be:

i. A refugee or a family member of such a person in relation to whom a refugee declaration is in force and continues to be in force for the entire duration of the Garda Recruit selection and admissions process; or

ii. A person granted subsidiary protection or a family member of such a person in relation to whom a subsidiary protection declaration is in force and continues to be in force for the entire duration of the Garda Recruit selection and admissions process; or

iii. By the closing date for application to this competition, have had a period of one year’s continuous residence in the State, and during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years.

Education You must have obtained the following, by the closing date for application to this competition:

AND

i. The Irish language ii. The English language

Please note:

• Successful applicants are required to study and pass Irish as part of a module in the Garda College.

• Subjects taken at Foundation Level Leaving Certificate are not considered equivalent for entry to this competition. In certain cases, a Pass in the Applied Leaving Certificate may be deemed equivalent to an Ordinary Leaving Certificate. A H7 grade is also deemed equivalent to an O6 grade.

publicjobs may verify the validity of qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). Candidates may refer to the National Academic Recognition Information Centre which offers advice on the academic recognition of foreign qualifications in Ireland.

Employment Status You must have relinquished all previous employment prior to entry to the Garda College and may not be on a career break from any such employment upon entry.

Medical Standards You must be certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner (nominated by the Commissioner after consultation with the Minister) to be in good health, of sound constitution and suited physically and mentally to performing the duties of a member of the service.

Physical Competence Test You must have passed a Physical Competence Test before entering the Garda College to start training.

Substance Misuse Assessment You must have passed all Substance Misuse (Controlled Drug and Psychoactive Substances) Assessments to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána.

The competition for the selection of Trainees into An Garda Síochána attracts a very high number of applicants. As such, the selection process to become a Trainee is comprehensive, with candidates required to undertake a range of relevant assessment tests and exercises over a number of stages. The numbers called forward to each stage of selection will be determined from time to time, having regard to the number of places to be filled in the Garda College.

publicjobs will conduct the initial selection stages on behalf of the Garda Commissioner. Names and details of candidates who are successful following the selection stages conducted by publicjobs, will be forwarded to An Garda Síochána for consideration for appointment.

Neither An Garda Síochána nor publicjobs will be responsible for any expenses incurred by candidates in relation to the recruitment process.

Deeming of candidature to be withdrawn

Candidates who do not complete and submit the Online Assessments before the specified date; submit an application form when requested; attend for interview or other test when and where required; attend/undertake any subsequent stage of the selection process as requested or who do not, when requested, furnish such evidence as required in regard to any matter relevant to their candidature, will have no further claim to consideration.

Candidates are expected to provide all requested documentation to publicjobs, including all forms issued by us for completion, within seven calendar days of request. Failure to do so will result in the candidate being deemed to have withdrawn from the competition and their candidature will receive no further consideration.

Benefits

TRAINING, LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

As a trainee you will undergo the Foundation Training Programme, which is the initial training and development programme that incorporates the training required to perform the role and functions of a Garda in an efficient and effective manner.

The programme incorporates a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts Degree in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick.

Upon successful completion of phase one, Garda Trainees become sworn members of An Garda Síochána (this is called attestation) and commence their probationary period (normally two-years from attestation) in accordance with the provisions of the Admissions and Appointments Regulations.

You will receive further training, tailored to the requirements of your specific role throughout your career.

ANNUAL LEAVE / SICK LEAVE

Upon moving to phase II (after attestation), Probationary Gardai get 29.5 days paid annual leave per year inclusive of public holidays and Good Friday, with a pro-rata entitlement for periods of service less than one year.

For Gardaí on operational duties, public holidays and Good Friday are to be regarded as normal working days except where they happen to be rostered as rest days.

There are flexible working options available throughout your career (approval of management required).

After three months training, sick leave provides full payment of your weekly training allowance for a period of up to four weeks. The amount of any benefits payable under the Social Welfare Acts is deducted from the payment during illness.

PAY

Garda Trainees will receive an allowance of €354 per week for the 36 weeks of training.

Accommodation and food are provided while resident in the Garda College from Sunday to Friday.

Upon attestation after 36 weeks, Garda Trainees become Probationer Gardaí and move to the first point of the pay scale which is €39,194 (As of 1 February 2026), rising incrementally to €60,333 per annum after 8 years.

Probationer Gardaí will be assigned to work the core shift roster (12-hour), 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 worked on a Sunday/public holiday, which is paid at double time.