I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 136 together.
At 31 March 2009, there were 322 attested Reserve Gardaí and 152 Reserve trainees. Details of the stations to which Reserve members are currently assigned are set out in the table below.
The Agreed Programme for Government has set a target strength for the Reserve at 10% of the full-time strength of the force. As the Garda Reserve depends on volunteers who undertake their training and other duties during their free time, it is difficult to predict how many people will commence training in any particular period. However, I can assure the Deputies that the Garda Commissioner is continuing to make every effort to reach the recruitment target. In that context I would point out that the moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the public service does not apply to the Garda Reserve.
Recruitment is ongoing and the Public Appointments Service has received over 1,100 expressions of interest to join the Reserve in 2009. The PAS hold interviews on a rolling basis at a range of locations around the country. The ongoing public information campaign to recruit members to the Garda Reserve includes indoor and outdoor awareness raising campaigns and radio and TV promotional interviews nationally and locally.
The Government is strongly committed to the development of the Reserve. I am fully satisfied that the Reserve provides a valuable contribution to the Garda Síochána and to the many communities where it is operating. In particular, I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the Reserve who serve on a voluntary basis and give of their time very generously.
Stations to which the 322 attested Reserve Members are currently assigned
Station
|
Number
|
Anglesea Street
|
10
|
Arklow
|
1
|
Ashbourne
|
1
|
Athlone
|
1
|
Balbriggan
|
3
|
Ballina
|
3
|
Ballyfermot
|
3
|
Baltinglass
|
1
|
Ballymun
|
6
|
Bandon
|
1
|
Blackrock
|
5
|
Blanchardstown
|
10
|
Bray
|
3
|
Bridewell
|
5
|
Cahir
|
1
|
Carlow
|
5
|
Carrick-on-Shannon
|
1
|
Carrick-on-Suir
|
1
|
Castlebar
|
8
|
Cavan Town
|
3
|
Celbridge
|
1
|
Claremorris
|
1
|
Clonakilty
|
2
|
Clondalkin
|
3
|
Clonmel
|
2
|
Clontarf
|
4
|
Coolock
|
6
|
Crumlin
|
3
|
Donnybrook
|
4
|
Drogheda
|
7
|
Dun Laoghaire
|
4
|
Dundalk
|
5
|
Ennis
|
8
|
Enniscorthy
|
2
|
Fermoy
|
2
|
Finglas
|
4
|
Fitzgibbon St
|
5
|
Galway
|
18
|
Gorey
|
1
|
Gurranabraher
|
6
|
Henry Street
|
10
|
Howth
|
3
|
Kells
|
1
|
Kevin St
|
6
|
Kildare
|
3
|
Kilkenny
|
6
|
Kilmainham
|
3
|
Letterkenny
|
5
|
Longford
|
1
|
Lucan
|
7
|
Macroom
|
1
|
Malahide
|
1
|
Mayfield
|
3
|
Middleton
|
3
|
Monaghan Town
|
4
|
Mullingar
|
6
|
Naas
|
2
|
Navan
|
2
|
Nenagh
|
1
|
New Ross
|
1
|
Newbridge
|
2
|
Pearse St
|
17
|
Portlaoise
|
1
|
Raheny
|
3
|
Rathfarnham
|
3
|
Rathmines
|
2
|
Ronanstown
|
1
|
Roscommon
|
3
|
Santry
|
4
|
Sligo
|
6
|
Store St
|
6
|
Sundrive Rd
|
1
|
Swords
|
4
|
Tallaght
|
2
|
Terenure
|
3
|
Thurles
|
1
|
Tipperary Town
|
1
|
Togher
|
4
|
Tralee
|
2
|
Tramore
|
2
|
Trim
|
1
|
Tuam
|
2
|
Tullamore
|
4
|
Watercourse Rd.
|
3
|
Waterford
|
9
|
Westport
|
3
|
Wexford
|
1
|
Whitehall
|
2
|