An Garda Síochána

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

Questions (1115, 1117)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

1115. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda Reserves that are currently active in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13833/23]

View answer

1117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda Reserves hired each year in County Meath since 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13846/23]

View answer

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1115 and 1117 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 28 February 2023, the Garda Reserve strength is 371 members, of which 16 are assigned to Meath Division.

I am further advised that additional Garda Reserves were recruited into the Meath area in 2021. However, as this number is less than 10 An Garda Síochána do not provide the total figure for data protection reasons.

As part of the Government’s plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF), the Garda Commissioner has developed a Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which provides a roadmap for the development of this important service.

The Strategy published in October 2021, and available on the Garda website, is informed by an internal review of the Reserve, and sets out key commitments including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation. The Strategy aims to ensure that members of the Reserve are fully supported by local Garda management and that the role is recognised and promoted throughout the organisation.

The Garda Commissioner has established an implementation group and oversight committee to ensure the Strategy delivers on its objectives, and I look forward to working with him to increase the number of members of the Reserve and in realising its full potential as a resource to policing and in providing a pathway to full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, including from minority communities.

A priority is a new recruitment campaign, which I understand will be held Q4 2023 or Q1 2024, and on foot of which new reservists will be appointed.

I understand that the campaign will target a broad and inclusive range of candidates, in keeping with the Reserve's role as a visible form of community engagement. The Department of Justice is currently engaging with An Garda Síochána on revisions to the regulations governing the Reserve ahead of the commencement of this recruitment process.

I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to provide support and flexibility to Reserve Gardaí carrying out their functions in a voluntary capacity.

For the Deputy's information, detailed statistics on Garda Reserve numbers are published on gov.ie and are updated regularly by my Department from information provided by An Garda Síochána. The statistics can be accessed using the following link: