Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the sentiments of the previous speakers regarding the merits of the Garda Reserve. I noted from comments at a previous debate in this Chamber last week that the Minister indicated that moves were afoot perhaps in the first quarter of 2024, and she might correct me if I am wrong, regarding a recruitment campaign in relation to getting people to sign up for the Garda Reserve. That would be very much welcome. There is no doubt but it can be a very valuable resource.

It is worth mentioning at this point is that, yes, there needs to be a public awareness campaign regarding the recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve.As my colleague said, perhaps an ongoing programme would be beneficial in that regard. It is critical, as part of that campaign, that the exact role of a member of the Garda Reserve is clarified. It is essential that anybody who contemplates joining the Garda Reserve is clear about the job description. Perhaps that is part of the reason the campaigns failed before. Knowing the job description would ensure that anybody who signs up is under no illusion about the job description for a member of the Garda Reserve, what a member is entitled to do and, even more importantly, what he or she is not entitled to do.

We cannot ignore another aspect concerning the existing Garda force. We are all aware that there is stress as regards numbers and a lack of personnel. We all accept that. As the Minister alluded to on a previous occasion, we all accept that the chairman of the Policing Authority said that had Covid-19 not struck our shores and had the Garda College been up and running as per normal, there would be an additional 1,000 members in the force today. Everybody will have to accept that as a reasonable point and I certainly do. If we had an extra 1,000 members in the Garda Síochána today, it would make a big difference because the reality is, which I think everybody accepts, the number in the force is not where we would like it to be and, as a result, we rob Peter to pay Paul when situations arise like the one that arose in this city less than two weeks ago. We must increase the number in the force to give us more flexibility, which is a job of work that the Minister is focusing on and rightly so. We must get more people through the door and, first, as members of the Garda. That is vitally important and we must keep a close eye on the issue. As I often say, it is all fine and dandy getting people to join and come in the front door but if they are resigning and going out the back door before they are meant to, that must be examined as well. Exit studies are being conducted and I respectfully suggest that this work be fast-tracked to talk to those who are leaving and ask them why they are leaving. The representative associations must also be consulted as they have first-hand information from their members as to why people are leaving. We need that information because responsibility for an individual who joins the Garda Reserve will be with the garda who is on duty with him or her at any given moment in time. It is a big responsibility taking someone in who may not have any training whatsoever concerning the role of a member of An Garda Síochána. There is a big responsibility on the garda who accompanies a member of the Garda Reserve as they go about their duties, and the garda must look after the individual.

First, it is important that a recruitment campaign be conducted. I commend Senator McDowell who has been a consistent voice on this issue in this House. On various occasions he expressed frustration at the fact that the Government was slow to move on recruitment. There is no getting away from the fact that we have been slow but the Minister has mentioned here previously, including last week, that we can expect a bit of movement in the first quarter of next year, which is to be welcomed.

Second, it is critically important that the job description of the Garda Reserve is laid out for the benefit of everybody who joins. I commend those who join the Reserve. It is public service at its best where people, such as retired people, like Senator Boyhan indicated, would like to play a part and give something back to society. These people give up some of their free time to be on duty mostly during antisocial hours. They are to be commended on that as they want to give some service to the State. The least they deserve is to know the job role and what is expected of them.

Senator Keogan mentioned the issue of providing small rewards, financial or otherwise. We should be as generous as we can when it comes to remunerating members of the Garda Reserve for their service.They are not going to get a full-blown wage for what they do, nor do they expect to. However, at the same time, if we make it a bit more attractive from a financial perspective, people will think it is worthwhile. Individuals who are already in employment, perhaps young people who are saving for a mortgage deposit, might see this as a possibility to earn some additional income. It would make good financial sense for the State to look at that proposal in great detail because there is potential there. We would still be getting a resource for a third of the price a fully trained member of An Garda Síochána would cost the State. We cannot do it on the cheap. We need to respect those coming in because it is a very responsible job and, as we all know, quite a dangerous one. To expect people to do it free and gratis is probably stretching it a bit too much. It is not like delivering meals on wheels. That is also a very responsible job but this is a dangerous job and we need to respect and acknowledge that and to be as generous as we can, as a State, in remunerating those who would give up their free time for the State, the public and the communities they serve. We need to acknowledge that.

In summary, it is a good idea and I commend Senator Chambers on, as Senator Keogan has said, setting the ball rolling in respect of this particular section. It has the potential to be an additional arm for the State and for the Garda. However, responsibility comes with that. If I was a member of An Garda Síochána taking someone out with me tomorrow morning, I would have big responsibilities as an individual garda. If numbers are tight and people are under pressure, that pressure will be pushed onto that Garda Reserve member. In an ideal world, I would like to see a lot more gardaí before we start but, unfortunately, we are not in that space and we cannot afford to wait to get into it. We need additional help. If we make the role as attractive as we possibly can and define the boundaries of the role, it could be and, I hope, will be a valuable asset to gardaí as they go about their daily duties. I look forward to that campaign. Will the Minister confirm when it is due to begin because the sooner, the better? I again commend Senator McDowell, who has been a constant champion for this idea, on raising it on a regular basis.