Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

There are 261 attested reserve gardaí and 46 reserve trainees. The 261 attested members currently operational are assigned as follows: 121 in the Dublin metropolitan region, 29 in Cork and 111 in other stations across the country. Rather than taking up time reading the breakdown of those numbers across more than 70 stations, the details will be appended to the reply and placed on the record of the House.

The establishment of the Garda reserve, a measure supported on all sides in this House, is one of the most important and welcome innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. The establishment of the reserve has helped the Garda Síochána to strengthen its links with local communities and reserve members are a source of local support and knowledge. The reserve allows committed individuals from a great diversity of professional, social, cultural and ethnic groups to take part in policing. Reserve gardaí are bringing a special commitment and enthusiasm to the Garda organisation through their voluntary service. They are helping to bring a fresh and innovative approach to policing as they undertake their duties in support of their full-time colleagues with the different perspectives and skills developed in their everyday jobs and lives.

An Agreed Programme for Government set a target strength for the reserve at 10% of the full-time strength of the force. In the annual policing plan for 2008, the Garda Commissioner set a target of recruiting 270 reserve members this year. As the Garda reserve depends on volunteers who undertake their training and other duties during their free time, it is difficult to predict how many people will commence training in any particular period. However, I assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner is making every effort to reach the recruitment target.

Station by Station Assignment of Attested Reserve Members:

Dublin Metropolitan Region: Pearse Street (19), Kevin Street (5), Kilmainham (3), Donnybrook (6), Store Street (9), Bridewell (6), Fitzgibbon Street (6), Clondalkin (2), Finglas (4), Lucan (5), Ballyfermot (3), Blanchardstown (11), Ronanstown (1), Santry (2), Raheny (3), Swords (3), Clontarf (2), Coolock (3), Ballymun (2), Balbriggan (3), Malahide (1), Howth (1), Crumlin (2), Sundrive Road (1), Rathmines (2), Terenure (2), Tallaght (2), Rathfarnham (2), Bray (3), Dún Laoghaire (3) and Blackrock (4). Cork: Mayfield (3), Gurranabraher (4), Midleton (4), Mitchelstown (1), Mallow (2), Anglesea Street (12) and Togher (3). Other Regions: Sligo(6), Galway (16), Henry Street, Limerick (10), Ennis (6), Tralee (2), Waterford (8), Tramore (2), Kilkenny (5), Wexford (1), New Ross (1), Gorey (1), Enniscorthy (1), Arklow (1), Wicklow (1), Newbridge (1), Blessington (1), Naas (2), Carlow (4), Clonmel (2), Cahir (1), Carrick on Suir (1), Tipperary town (2), Thurles (1), Cavan town (2), Monaghan town (1), Drogheda (4), Dundalk (4), Kells (1), Navan (1), Castlebar (4), Westport (1), Ballina (3), Mullingar (5), Longford (1), Letterkenny (4), Tullamore (2), Portlaoise (1) and Roscommon (1).

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