Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
322. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda Reserve members as at the end of 2017; the percentage who completed the minimum of 208 annual hours per annum duty obligations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4607/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Reserve on the 31 December 2017 was 589. It is regrettable that there has been a substantial reduction in the strength of the Reserve in recent years from a peak of 1,164 in 2013. The fall-off arises from a range of factors, not least the lifting in 2014 of the moratorium on recruitment of trainee Gardaí which has affected Reserve numbers in two ways - firstly some serving Reserves have successfully applied to become trainee Gardaí, and secondly, resources in both An Garda Síochána and in the Public Appointment Service have been focused on delivering an accelerated programme of recruitment of full time members of An Garda Síochána.
I am sure that the Deputy will agree, notwithstanding the very valuable contribution of Reserve members throughout the country, that it was the right decision, with finite resources, to prioritise the running of recruitment campaigns to replenish the full-time ranks of An Garda Síochána over the past three years.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to double the Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. In line with this, the Government has in place a plan to achieve a Reserve strength of 2,000 by 2021. With the plan to reach 15,000 Garda members well on track it was possible for the Commissioner and the Public Appointments Service to undertake a new recruitment campaign for Reserves last March which attracted 2,394 applicants. It is expected that applicants from this campaign will enter training in early 2018.
As the Deputy will be aware, service in the Reserve is voluntary and unpaid. However, an allowance is payable to Reserve members who complete a minimum of 208 hours of duty annually as a contribution towards expenses incurred in performing their duties. The allowance is currently set at €1,000 per annum. Reserves are also reimbursed for expenses incurred while attending court in respect of their service as a Reserve.
I have requested the details of the percentage of Garda Reserves who completed 208 hours of service or more in 2017 from the Commissioner and I will write to him on receipt of same.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
