Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

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. The Reserve members have undergone training in many of the skills required to be effective full-time members of An Garda Síochána. Indeed, many have now applied to be members of the Garda. Quite a number were successful in the last recruitment, so we want to build on the very real commitment which they have made. The Garda Síochána has set up a Garda Reserve management office with a superintendent in charge of it, and it is currently undertaking an audit of all the experience and skills of reserves which, when completed, will assist Garda management in considering the future role to be played by the reserve. It has started work on the new recruitment plan and there will be 300 extra reserves recruited next year, and I am pleased to announce that in the House this evening. We will continue that annually to bring the Reserve up from its current strength of 789 members to 2,000.

To get to the reply to the Deputy's question, regarding the Roscommon-Longford Garda division, I am informed by the Commissioner that as of 31 August 2016 there were 11 reserves assigned to that division. It is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, and I as Minister have no direct role in that.

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