Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
211. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the most recent Garda Reserve recruitment drive; the number of persons who applied; the number of applicants who were successful; the status of the training of successful applicants; when the training of all successful applicants will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14794/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the strength of the Garda Reserve by division as of 26 March 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14798/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 215 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the strength of the Reserve on the 28 February 2018 was 569. 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 last three years.
The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda 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 (PAS) to undertake a new recruitment campaign for Garda Reserves last March which attracted 2,394 applicants, of whom 498 successfully completed the initial stages carried out by PAS. These applications are currently being processed by the Garda Appointments Office. The time frame for this can vary due to a number factors including the length of the vetting process which may, for example, be more time consuming if the applicant has resided abroad or is deferred for medical reasons. It is expected that the first class will commence training in the Garda College in the coming months.
In conjunction with the major expansion of the Reserve over the next number of years, we must ensure that it is used to optimum effect to support effective policing. To inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve An Garda Síochána is conducting a strategic review as a matter of priority with a view to completion in the first half of the year as set out in the Policing Plan 2018. As a first step, the Garda Executive has taken a decision to transfer the management of the Reserve to the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Community Engagement. This is intended to ensure that its development and deployment is viewed more broadly through a community policing lens. This is a very welcome step as it is my strong view that the greatest dividend to be gained from the Reserve is in terms of a visible presence on the ground engaging with local communities.
For the Deputy's information I have set out in the attached table the number of Garda Reserves by Division as of 28 February 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available.
Garda Reserve Strength 28 February 2018
|
Division |
Total |
|
DMR South Central |
35 |
|
DMR North Central |
35 |
|
DMR North |
43 |
|
DMR East |
9 |
|
DMR South |
17 |
|
DMR West |
26 |
|
Waterford |
19 |
|
Wexford |
17 |
|
Tipperary |
16 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
26 |
|
Cork City |
42 |
|
Cork North |
13 |
|
Cork West |
8 |
|
Kerry |
20 |
|
Limerick |
29 |
|
Donegal |
15 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
11 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
17 |
|
Louth |
24 |
|
Clare |
6 |
|
Mayo |
19 |
|
Galway |
31 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
7 |
|
Westmeath |
12 |
|
Meath |
16 |
|
Kildare |
20 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
16 |
|
Wicklow |
20 |
|
Total |
569 |
