Mr. Noel Waters:

At the moment as I understand it - I am subject to correction here from colleagues - the strength of the reserve is of the order of about 1,200. I think the Minister has indicated that she would wish to see it go higher. In the coming weeks there will be a recruitment campaign to bring an additional 600 gardaí into the force. As part of that we anticipate some possible further announcements around the reserve as well. It has been particularly useful in terms of recruiting gardaí. People who would have come through the reserve would have a sense of the career they are entering into. I agree entirely. The Department and, I have to say, gardaí, after some initial reluctance on it, have been very firm advocates of the reserve. I know from talking to her personally on this matter that the Commissioner would be a very strong supporter and sees the value it brings in respect of particular elements of policing, crowd control and attending local events. For the ordinary member of the community to see the reassuring sight of that person in uniform - they may as well be a fully-fledged garda. The cost to the State is minimal; I do not have the figure but it is very small.