Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan welcomes the launch of a competition to appoint a new Garda Commissioner

The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan today welcomed the launch of a competition to appoint a new Garda Commissioner.

Minister O’Callaghan has tasked publicjobs (the Public Appointments Service) to run an open competition to identify a suitable candidate for appointment as Garda Commissioner. The deadline for applications is 29 May 2025.

This recruitment process is undertaken under Section 26 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

Minister O'Callaghan emphasised the importance of the competition, stating:

"An Garda Síochána has a very proud tradition of service to the public over the course of the last century.

“The new Garda Commissioner will lead the organisation at a time of ongoing growth, change and reform as the organisation starts to operate under the provisions of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act which implemented the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

"The government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime. A strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. €2.48 billion for this year, a 27% increase since 2020, which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

“I expect to be in a position to make a recommendation to the government in late July.’’

Minister O’Callaghan also expressed his gratitude to Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris, who agreed to extend his term of office to facilitate the competition to appoint his successor.

The Minister consulted with the new Bord an Gharda Síochána and the Policing and Community Safety Authority in developing the selection criteria and recruitment process for this competition.

The new Commissioner will be appointed to a five-year term or until the retirement age of 62. The Commissioner will lead a total workforce of nearly 18,000 people, comprising sworn Gardaí, Garda staff and Garda Reserves.

The Commissioner will be mandated to strengthen capacity and capability across the organisation, building on existing knowledge and expertise to ensure it is at the forefront of policing and state security globally, in line with its mission of "Keeping People Safe."

Minister O'Callaghan highlighted the government's commitment to expanding the force:

"The Programme for Government commits to providing funding to recruit and train 5,000 new Gardaí over the next five years. A key priority for me and for the Garda Commissioner is growing the size of An Garda Síochána so that we can get more Gardaí on the ground in our communities. The government will continue to provide the organisation with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe.

“To deliver a police service for our future, the leadership of the Garda Commissioner is vital. This is extremely challenging, wide-ranging and high-profile role for which we are seeking an exceptional candidate, an outstanding and inspirational leader and a person of utmost integrity."

Appointment details

The new Garda Commissioner will take up the position in September 2025 and is eligible to serve a five-year term or until reaching the retirement age of 62.

The Commissioner will be tasked with strengthening the organisation's capacity and capability, ensuring it remains at the forefront of policing and state security globally.

Programme for Government commitments

The government is dedicated to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources and support necessary to maintain public safety and security. Key commitments include:

• provide funding to recruit at least 5,000 new Garda recruits and additional Garda Staff over the next five years
• continue to support and expand the Garda Training College in Templemore as the main and primary Garda Training college
• make the Gardaí more attractive to new recruits by increasing the Garda training allowance
• introduce deployment targets to improve Garda visibility on the frontline
• increase the Garda Reserve intake beyond the current target of 2,000 ensure new intakes annually

Garda workforce

The new Garda Commissioner will lead a total workforce of nearly 18,000 people, a 16% increase over the last 10 years.

Salary

The successful candidate appointed to the position of Garda Commissioner of An Garda Síochána will be remunerated at an appropriately high and competitive rate to reflect the responsibility and demands of the role. The salary will be negotiable up to €314,512, subject to the individual’s pension arrangements.