Men and women up to 50 years of age can apply to become Gardaí from next week

Men and women up to 50 years of age can apply to become Gardaí from next week. 

The recruitment competition - which opens next Monday via publicjobs.ie - is the first which welcomes applications from those up to fifty years old. 

The maximum age limit for Gardaí was previously 35 years of age, however this recently changed under a new rule aimed at diversifying and increasing the size of the force. 

Posting on their official Facebook page, a Garda spokesperson stated, "It will be a mix of challenges and rewards but joining An Garda Síochána will change your life and the lives of others." 

In October last year, the Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, secured an increase in Budget allocation of over €3.27 billion in current expenditure plus €274 million for capital projects for the justice sector in 2024. 

This includes an increase in the Garda trainee allowance to €305 which, according to the Department of Justice, marks a 66% increase on the level in place since 2011. 

It's part of a number of measures taken by the Government to increase the number of sworn Gardaí (currently over 14,000 strong) to improve overall safety in cities, towns and rural areas. 

Budget measures also included an increase in Garda overtime in 2024 from €105 million to €131 million for high visibility policing to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, €6 million for Garda wellbeing initiatives, additional medical costs and over 2,500 units of body armour, and €3.6 million in additional funding for GoSafe speed cameras. 

Anyone interested in applying to become part of An Garda Síochána should do so via publicjobs.ie on Monday.