Garda Operations.

Thursday, 28 September 2006

Ceisteanna (152)

Charlie O'Connor

Ceist:

150 Mr. O’Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the setting up of the Garda Reserve Force. [30409/06]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006 were approved by Government in July 2006. Following this, a nationwide advertising and recruitment campaign, for both Garda Reserve trainees and full-time Garda trainees, was launched on 14 August 2006. The recruitment campaign for full-time trainees closed on 19 September 2006. Recruitment for the Garda Reserve will continue indefinitely.

Recruitment for the Garda Reserve is being carried out by the Public Appointments Service. Applications are being accepted by both internet and phone. The total number of applicants for the Garda Reserve at 19 September was 6,661. A full county by county analysis of internet applications is not yet available from the Public Appointments Service. However, of the 3,664 phone applications, the breakdown by county is as set out in the table below.

	Number
Carlow	57
Cavan	62
Clare	112
Cork	376
Donegal	104
Dublin	907
Galway	195
Kerry	115
Kildare	180
Kilkenny	82
Laois	83
Leitrim	25
Limerick	121
Longford	41
Louth	125
Mayo	114
Meath	184
Monaghan	38
Offaly	78
Roscommon	77
Sligo	72
Tipperary	133
Waterford	77
Westmeath	104
Wexford	102
Wicklow	92
Northern Ireland	8
Total	3,664

These figures demonstrate the significant level of public interest in the Garda Reserve and the willingness of people to serve their local communities.

The process of selecting suitable candidates has already commenced. Interviews for the first tranche of reserve trainees were held from 12 September and medical examinations for candidates began last weekend. Candidates for the Garda Reserve are required to go through the same vetting process as full-time applicants and the process is underway.

In conjunction with this, senior members of An Garda Síochána have planned for training, equipping and deploying members of the Reserve. The first group of trainees is to commence Phase One training in the Garda College in Templemore this Saturday, 30 September. Reserve members will receive more than 120 hours initial training which will be in accordance with the best international standard. Training will consist of a comprehensive training programme of five phases as follows:

Phase One is a two day induction course which will give Reserve members an appreciation of the Garda Organisation and its culture.

Phase Two will consist of 56 hours training at evenings/weekends over an eight week period during which the trainee Reserve members will learn basic law and Garda procedures.

Phase Three is two days during which the trainee Reserve members will engage in role play exercises including radio procedures and be instructed in self defence, handcuff techniques and use of equipment.

Phase Four is a minimum of 40 hours at a nominated Garda Station during which the Trainee Reserve members will engage in accompanied beat patrol with a full-time Garda and Station duty under a Station Sergeant.

Phase Five is a one day graduation at the Garda College.

It is anticipated that the first group of trainees will be assigned to five different Garda stations throughout the State. These are: Sligo, Mill Street in Galway, Anglesea Street in Cork, Pearse Street, Dublin 2 and Store Street, Dublin 1. Once the full county by county analysis of applications is available from the Public Appointments Service further locations will be identified for deployment.