Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 July 2019
906. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the strength of the Garda Reserve in each Garda division on 31 December in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and on 30 June 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33318/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Reserve strength in each Garda Division as of 31 December in each of the years 2014 to 2018, and as of 31 May 2019, can be found at the following link: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Reserve.
I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Garda Reserve was 491 as of 31 May 2019. It is disappointing that the number of Garda Reserve Members has dropped in recent years. However, both the Government and the Garda Commissioner remain committed to increasing the strength of the Garda Reserve and to that end I have been informed by An Garda Síochána that a class of approximately 100 Garda Reserve recruits commenced training on 23/24 March 2019 at the Garda College, Templemore. This is a positive development and delivers on the target set out under 'A Policing Service for the Future', the implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.
An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a strategic review of the Garda Reserve to inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve. This approach is also in line with the recommendation in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Strategy is expected to be concluded shortly and will inform the development of a Reserve recruitment drive by the end of 2019.
