Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities. Strengthening An Garda Síochána is, of course, at the core of that. We will continue to provide An Garda Síochána with the resources it needs to ensure communities around Ireland are safe and feel safe. That is reflected in the unprecedented budget allocation of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána. That is an increase of 23% since 2020.

The Government will support An Garda Síochána to increase substantially the size of the Garda Reserve in the coming years. The Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone who wishes to support policing and give something back to his or her community. The Garda Reserve upholds and reinforces An Garda Síochána's strong community links. It provides the organisation with capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in essential policing functions. I acknowledge the important contribution made by all current and past members of the Garda Reserve, who selflessly volunteer their time for the benefit of each and every one of us.

As part of A Policing Service for the Future, the Government's plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, the Commissioner developed the Garda Reserve strategy 2021-25. This provides a roadmap for the development of this important service.

The new recruitment campaign for the reserve, the first such campaign since 2017, will take place in early 2024. In preparation for the campaign, my Department is engaging with the Office of the Attorney General on progressing the Garda Reserve regulations. I expect to have the final version of those regulations later this week. Consultation will then take place with the Garda associations and the Policing Authority before the regulations are finalised. Obviously, I want to see that happen as quickly as possible to allow for the recruitment campaign to begin in early 2024.

These revisions include reducing prohibitions on the areas in which Garda Reserve members can serve. Additionally, the regulations will ensure a recruitment campaign is inclusive in order that we attract diverse and under-represented groups, including those from ethnic minorities, with the intention of clearly removing any perceived barriers.

See this speech in context