Garda Trainee 2026 - General Competition

Vacancy ID

4540

Department/Authority

An Garda Síochána 

Department/Authority Website

https://www.garda.ie

Working pattern

Full-Time 

Advertising Date

11/05/2026
 

County

Nationwide 

Location

Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow

Closing Date for Application

03/06/2026, 15:00
 

Grade

Garda Trainee 

Contract

Permanent 

Type of role

Public Sector

Accessibility Information: We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act. Please see our Statement on Accessibility

Job summary

An Garda Síochána is unique among policing services internationally as a single body responsible for the security of the State and the provision of policing services with a mission of “Keeping People Safe”.

Joining An Garda Síochána offers an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and innovative team. This role and the personal impact you will have on people and the community will give you a sense of achievement like nothing else.

You will be part of something meaningful and have the opportunity to make a change. You will work in a supportive, digitally enabled environment that is unique.

An Garda Síochána is committed to fostering an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace, and therefore, we encourage candidates from a variety of backgrounds to apply.

Joining An Garda Síochána will change your life, and the lives of others. From the moment you join, it will be a mix of challenges, rewards, new skills and new friends.

Your personal impact on people and the community will give you a sense of achievement like nothing else.

Being a Garda is a tough job. But it’s a job worth doing.

Competition updates will be available on the Garda Trainee Information page on publicjobs.ie.

Main Duties of the Job

As a member of An Garda Síochána, you will operate on the front line, supporting victims and witnesses, providing reassurance and instilling confidence. You will also be in a position to build relationships and trust within the community.

Your training will provide you with all the tools you need to carry out the necessary functions and tasks expected for policing an increasingly diverse society. Policing is intrinsically rewarding but you also receive a competitive salary with attractive allowances.

To reach trainee stage however you must go through a rigorous selection procedure, designed to test whether you have the qualities necessary to become a successful member of An Garda Síochána.

In this campaign there is an opportunity for candidates with a musical background to be considered for a future audition for the Garda Síochána Band, following successful completion of Garda training and the probationary period. 

After training the career presents opportunities to work in a wide variety of fields including Community Policing, Traffic Control and Regulation, Public Order, Detective Duties, and investigating Organised Crime, Fraud and Drugs Offences.

An Garda Síochána is committed to creating a police service that is fully representative of all Ireland’s diverse communities. An equal opportunities employer, An Garda Síochána actively encourages applications from members of all segments of Irish society.

Information about the organisation

An Garda Síochána is a community-centric organisation with responsibility for both the provision of policing services and protecting the security of the State, driven by the need to deliver responsive, effective and efficient services that meet the needs of our communities.

An Garda Síochána has over 18,000 Garda members, Civilians and Reserve members who are committed to delivering a functioning police and security service.  We believe that effective and efficient policing depends on securing the confidence, support and cooperation of local communities, and engaging with those communities. In order to ensure we achieve this, members of An Garda Síochána are guided by three simple Policing Principles which state that policing services must be provided:

• Independent and impartially
• In a manner that respects human rights
• In a manner that supports the proper and effective administration of justice.

Ag Coinneáil Daoine Sábháilte - Keeping People Safe

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.

Selection Process Details

This competition is being run in conjunction with Comórtas d'Iarrthóirí a bhfuil Cumas sa Ghaeilge acu and an Eligible Serving Garda Reserve Members competition. Candidates are permitted to sit the selection tests etc. only once even if applying for multiple competitions.

Irrespective of which competition you have applied for, you may only sit the Stage 1 tests of the selection process for Trainee once. The scores you achieve will carry across the competitions for which you applied.

The onus is on the candidate to apply for the correct competition(s). Only one application per person per competition is permitted.

Please see the Competition Information Booklet for more details.