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

Following the inspectorate reports we have seen this new approach by An Garda Síochána to extend the powers of the reserve. A superintendent has been appointed and I have met him to discuss the audit that is being carried out. I agree with the Deputy that it is extremely important to double the numbers of the reserves, as we intend to do. We have more reserves now than we had, for example, in 2008, but there has been a reduction from the peak. Some 160 serving reserves successfully applied to become trainee gardaí. We will now have a particular stream for reservists in the new Garda recruitment drive, which closes tomorrow. We see a future role. There will be that recruitment and the doubling in numbers, as agreed in the programme for Government.

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