The Deputy will be aware that the moratorium on Public Service Recruitment does not apply to the Garda Reserve and recruitment to it is ongoing. As recently as 12 December, 93 Reserve members graduated in Templemore bringing the total number of Garda Reserves to approximately 1,200, with an additional 90 in training.
The table sets out the annual expenditure incurred under the Garda Reserve Subhead of the Garda Vote from 2008 to 2012.
Subhead Description
|
2008
€
|
2009
€
|
2010
€
|
2011
€
|
2012
€
|
Total
€
|
Garda Reserve Force
|
343,386
|
522,633
|
874,322
|
779,971
|
883,996
|
3,404,308
|
I would like to assure the House that the Commissioner and Government are fully committed to the continued development of the Garda Reserve. I would also like to put on record my appreciation to the members of the Garda Reserve for their spirit of volunteerism and the services they provide to communities everywhere.