Garda Recruitment Drive Opens with €39,194 Starting Salary

An Garda Síochána has launched a new recruitment campaign, with applications open until 3 June 2026. The drive, announced yesterday by Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan TD and Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, offers a starting salary of €39,194 alongside paid training and an accredited degree.

The competition opened on Monday, 11 May 2026, and will remain open until Wednesday, 3 June 2026 at 3pm. Applications are being managed by publicjobs on behalf of An Garda Síochána and can be submitted via publicjobs.ie.

The campaign highlights the breadth of career paths in An Garda Síochána, from front-line policing to the Dog Unit, participation in Crimecall, and senior management roles. A new element this year is the encouragement of candidates with a musical background to apply, as the Garda Band is open to new members. Those who indicate their interest on the application will be considered for a future audition following successful completion of Garda training and the probationary period.

Garda trainees receive an allowance of €354 per week during the 36-week programme at the Garda College, where accommodation and meals are provided free of charge. Graduates earn a Level 7 Bachelor of Arts in Applied Policing, accredited by the University of Limerick. The starting salary for a Garda member is €39,194, rising incrementally, with the 12-hour core shift roster attracting additional allowances and opportunities for overtime.

Recent recruitment trends highlight growing diversity and broader age representation. At the latest attestation, 42 members were over 30 years of age, with a number of members born outside Ireland, including in India, Spain, Poland, and the United States.

Jim O'Callaghan TD, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration:

"I very much welcome the launch of the latest Garda recruitment campaign. Recruitment into An Garda Síochána is continuing apace. 201 trainees entered the Garda Training college last week which is the fourth consecutive intake of over 200 trainees. This competition will ensure that there is a strong pipeline of new recruits which will continue to increase the size of the Garda organisation.

A career in An Garda Síochána is demanding, but it is particularly rewarding as their work is varied, and connects Gardaí to the communities they serve. I am committed to supporting Gardaí, both through the provision of resources and legislative provisions, to ensure that Gardaí on the frontline have the skills and equipment they need."

Justin Kelly, Garda Commissioner:

"Being a Garda is a tough job, but I know from personal experience how rewarding it can be. There are not many jobs where you can make a positive difference to people and communities every day.

It can also offer career opportunities in varied and interesting roles. As a Garda you can make a significant contribution to public safety through a variety of roles, including community policing, investigating domestic abuse, and tackling organised crime.

I want to encourage people from all backgrounds to join An Garda Síochána. It is important that we represent the communities we serve. Being a Garda is definitely a job worth doing."

The promotional campaign, valued at €345,000 including VAT and running under the tagline "It's a Job Worth Doing", will appear across online video, national and local print and radio, social media, and outdoor advertising. It was produced by Core and Spark Foundry in conjunction with creative video agency Rubberduck.

Since Garda recruitment recommenced in December 2022, over 2,700 Garda Trainees have entered the Garda College, nearly 2,000 Probationer Gardaí have attested to An Garda Síochána, and over 628 Garda recruits are currently undergoing the training programme. Recruit classes now enter the Garda College every 11 to 12 weeks.

Further information and applications are available at publicjobs.ie/en/garda-trainee and on the Garda website.