Niall Collins
Ceist:12. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality how the Garda Síochána Reserve can be better utilised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3023/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 January 2016
Ceisteanna (12)
Freagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel, including the Garda Reserve, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keeps this distribution under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of all resources. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 December 2015, there were 953 Reserve members throughout the State. Recruitment to the Reserve is ongoing and I understand that the Commissioner intends to launch a fresh recruitment drive early this year.
The Garda Reserve was established in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to enhance the links between An Garda Síochána and local communities and consists of voluntary unpaid members, drawn from the community, to support the work of An Garda Síochána. Reserve members make a real and tangible contribution to the policing of communities right across the country and I am fully supportive of the continued development of the Reserve. In particular, I welcome the recent conferring by the Commissioner of additional powers on reserve members under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and also her decision that reserve members should carry out additional duties including the serving of summonses, and the issuing of Fixed Charged Penalty Notices where offences are detected. I also welcome the inclusion of a special stream for eligible reserve members in the 2016 recruitment campaign for full-time members of An Garda Síochána. Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be an effective full-time member and have front-line operational experience. It is appropriate to that they be given due recognition.
The Report of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate "Changing Policing in Ireland - Delivering a visible, accessible and responsive service" which I published on 9 December makes a range of recommendations in relation to the effective use of human resources including reserve members, and recommends that An Garda Síochána develops a strategic plan for maximising the operational effectiveness and contribution of reserves. I have put in place a process to seek the views of the Garda Commissioner and other bodies to whom recommendations are directed and have requested them to respond within a reasonably short period of time, having regard to the size and scope of the report. I expect that this consultation process will be completed in March. The outcome will then inform the preparation of implementation proposals for consideration by Government. Further work on optimising the use of the Reserve will be progressed in this context.