James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I reiterate the important role of the Garda Reserve, which is the reason a review was carried out to examine how to ensure that Garda reservists who attest in the future can play that important role and feel comfortable within their role in supporting An Garda Síochána. It also considered how to ensure that recruitment to the reserve reflects society. The breakdown of the current 389 members of the reserve is that 26% are women while 74% are men. As to when recruitment will be carried out, I expect it will be in the second half of next year. In the first half of the year, we will undertake further recruitment to An Garda Síochána itself. We will look to Garda Reserve recruitment thereafter.

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