Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

The Work

The Garda Reserve consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community to assist the existing Service.

Garda Reserve members have limited Garda powers while on duty. They perform policing duties as determined by the Commissioner under the supervision of, and accompanied by, full time Gardaí. The role of the Garda Reserve is to provide local patrols and participate in crime prevention initiatives targeted at specific local problem areas.

Reserve Gardaí will be involved in policing major incidents and events, and in providing other operational support to full time Gardaí. The mission of the Garda Reserve is to provide an efficient response and a quality service at all times and to enhance partnership between the An Garda Síochána and the local community.

Community Engagement & Public Safety

Working with and being a part of the community is one of An Garda Síochána‟s biggest strengths. We want every Reserve member to make a connection with their local community, to develop an understanding of its needs and how we, with our strategic partners, can make it better. We will ensure that every Reserve member will treat all members of society with respect and that the engagement is helpful and meaningful. The duties of a Garda Reserve will include:

• Community/Neighbourhood Policing.
• Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the full-time Garda service.
• Station duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners
• Station orderly
• Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV.
• Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major sporting events.

Confronting Crime

Crime prevention is the main priority of An Garda Síochána. Operations are currently focused on high visibility patrolling, targeting criminals and preventing crime from happening. The duties of a Garda Reserve will include:

• Static security duty based in one location or premises at entrance or exit point.
• Giving evidence in court.
• Serving Summonses.

Roads Policing

Working in conjunction with other agencies and the public, road deaths and serious collisions are a priority for An Garda Síochána. The priority in this area is to ensure Ireland has the safest roads possible. The duties of a Garda Reserve will include:

• Road Traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full time member.
• Issue of FCPS notices where offenses are detected.
• Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Identify, pursue, and arrest suspects and perpetrators of criminal acts.
• Provide for public safety by maintaining order, responding to emergencies, protecting people and property, enforcing motor vehicle and criminal laws, and promoting good community relations.
• Record facts to prepare reports that document incidents and activities.
• Render aid to accident victims and other persons requiring first aid for physical injuries.
• Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
• Review facts of incidents to determine if criminal act or statute violations were involved.
• Monitor, note, report, and investigate suspicious persons and situations, safety hasards, and unusual or illegal activity in patrol area.
• Testify in court to present evidence or act as witness in traffic and criminal cases.
• Drive vehicles or patrol specific areas to detect law violators, issue citations, and make arrests.
• Monitor traffic to ensure motorists observe traffic regulations and exhibit safe driving procedures.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) deals with all inquiries relating to recruitment for the Garda Reserve. The PAS hold interviews on a rolling basis at a range of locations around the country. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for selection as a Garda Reserve, an applicant must:

(i) Be of good character;

(ii) For the purposes of paragraph (iii), supply to a registered medical practitioner nominated by the Garda Commissioner, a medical certificate, in such form as that practitioner may determine, detailing the person‟s medical history for the previous 5 years;

(iii) Be certified by that registered medical practitioner to be in good health, of sound constitution and fitted physically and mentally to perform the duties of a Reserve member; (iv) Be 18 years of age but not yet 60 years of age when commencing the prescribed training;

(v) (a) Be a national of a European Union Member State,

or (b) Be a national of a European Economic Area State or the Swiss Confederation;

or (c) Be a Refugee under the Refugee Act, 1996;

or (d) Have had a period of one year‟s continuous residence in the State on the closing date of the advertisement for the competition for the vacancy to which the admission relates, and during the eight years immediately preceding that period, has had a total residence in the State amounting to four years;

(e) Has been granted subsidiary protection, or is a family member of such a person, in compliance with the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations, 2006.

Educational requirements 

Before the date of application to be accepted as a trainee, candidates must have obtained in the Irish Leaving Certificate (LCE or LCVP) examination:

• A grade not lower than B3 at Foundation Level or D3 at another level in Mathematics, and

• A proven proficiency in either Irish or English is required. There is no longer a requirement to have a second language.

 Or

• The Merit Grade in the  Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA),

 Or

• Grades in at least 5 subjects (including mathematics and two languages at least one of which must be either Irish or English), in another examination, of a kind that, in the opinion of the Minister, is of a standard not lower than the standard of either of the examinations referred to above.

Among the qualifications, which are considered as acceptable alternatives to the Leaving Certificate Examination, are the following:

• Matriculation of a recognised university;
• A General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level);
• NCEA / HETAC National Certificate;
• NCEA / HETAC National Diploma

Applicants with these qualifications must have the required standard in Mathematics, two languages, one of which must be English or Irish, and at least two other subjects.

• A former member who, on retirement, received an exemplary, very good or good discharge from An Garda Síochána is deemed to meet the requirements.
• The Garda Commissioner may exempt a person from meeting the requirements of paragraph (vi) if satisfied that the person has personal attributes which otherwise render him or her suitable to be admitted as a Reserve trainee

FAQs

Is there a height requirement? 
There is no height requirement to join the Garda Reserve. 

What are the physical requirements? 
Successful candidates at stages 1 and 2 of the selection process will also be required to undergo an exacting medical examination by a Registered Medical Practitioner nominated by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána or by the Chief Medical Officer at Garda Headquarters. Such candidates must be of good mental and bodily health and free from any defect or abnormality likely to interfere with the efficient performance of their duties. Any of the following examples of medical conditions may be a bar to passing the medical examination:

• Defective Vision (the vision standard required of a Garda Reserve trainee is not less than 6/18, 6/18 correctable to 6/9,6/12, with normal colour vision).
• Varicose veins
• Being overweight
• Albumenuria
• Dental Caries
• Defective Hearing
• Hypertension

Can a reserve police officer from another Country transfer to the Garda Síochána Reserve? 
No, there is no internal transfer process. You must go through the normal recruitment process.

Can a citizen from any country join? 
Applicants to join must

• Be a national of a European Union Member State, or
• Be a national of an EEA State or the Swiss Confederation, or
• Be a refugee under the Refugee Act, 1996, or
• Have a period of one year's continuous residence in the State immediately before 1 September 2005 and, during the 8 years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to 4 years. (Periods of illegal residence or residence as an asylum seeker do not count in the qualifying 5 year period).

What are the restrictions on admission to training for the Garda Reserve? 
Notwithstanding that the requirements of Regulation 4 are met, a person may not be recruited for admission as a reserve trainee if the person:

• Holds a designated certificate, licence or permit i.e. Taxi/PSV Licence, Licence to sell intoxicating liquor
• Is a member of the Defence Forces
• Is an officer of the court
• Is an officer of the probation and welfare servi&

Last Updated: March, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €0k - €1k

Garda Reserves are volunteers; however they can apply for an allowance if they serve 208 hours per annum. The allowance is currently €1,000 per annum.

Garda Reserve members will be reimbursed by the Commissioner for any expenses incurred by them in attending courts, tribunals or other legal proceedings outside of their hours of duty.

Garda Salary rates applicable from 1^st October 2023 €35,322- €59,842

Data Source(s):
Garda.ie/ PAS

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although employment growth was above average for this occupation, employment levels declined in the year since 2021. Department of Justice workforce data59 also indicates that the number of gardaí declined since 2021; in 2022, their data shows a total workforce of 17,382 which includes 3,126 civilian garda staff and 375 reserves.

Budget 2023 announced plans for 1,000 new Gardai and 430 Garda staff. Issues in relation to a high rate of attrition in Gardai training along with staff retiring early have been highlighted as explanations of the fall in numbers. Although issues en 2019 and 2022, growth in the labour force was driven by both.

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