asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of candidates from Garda Síochána entrance examinations held prior to March 1963, who have passed the interview, oral Irish and medical tests and who are awaiting appointment; (b) the number of candidates from such examinations who have yet to be called for these tests, and when they will be called; (c) the number of candidates which it is proposed to call from the March 1963 examination; and (d) when the next examination is likely to be held.

The number of candidates from Garda entrance examinations held in 1961 who have passed all the qualifying tests for appointment is 93 and they may expect to be appointed by the end of September. The number of candidates from examinations held in 1961 and 1962 who have yet to undergo interview before a Garda board, pass oral Irish and medical tests is 304 and it is expected that the recruits will be admitted by June, 1964.

It is proposed to call 200 candidates from the March, 1963, examination and their call-up should be completed before the end of 1964 or early in 1965. I cannot say when the next Garda entrance examination will be held but it is not likely to be earlier than May or June, 1964.

The intake of recruits will depend on the number of vacancies, which cannot be gauged accurately, as serving Gardaí have the option of retiring voluntarily on pension at any time after they have reached the age of 50 and have completed 30 years service. In recent times, retirements have been substantially less than was anticipated.

Is it clear that out of the March, 1963, examination, no more than 200 will be called ?

Two hundred will not necessarily be called. Anybody who secured a place higher than 200 will not be called.

Does that mean if the Minister did not get 200 by calling 200, he would not go beyond that figure to recruit the minimum of 200.

Precisely.

In other words, can we assume anybody who got 201st place is out?

Yes.

In order to save some of these candidates a lot of trouble, would the Minister consider notifying candidates who may assume that because they have passed, they may be called?

A letter is issuing to them all and it may have gone out by now.

If it has not will it go soon?

It will go immediately.