Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda reserve recruited to date; the stations to which they have been allocated; the number of applicants for the reserve in training; if he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment; when he expects that the full complement of 1,500 will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21105/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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).

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Why did only 271 of the 3,750 applicants for the Garda reserve last year make the grade?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I believe that in 2006 — I am not sure if the Deputy is referring to that year or to 2007 — 330 applicants were successful in gaining places. There is a high level of attrition among those who apply, for a myriad of reasons. Some applicants were not available for interview when called, others were not able to take up training, many have joined the full-time Garda force and quite a number did not meet the selection criteria. The recruitment process is run through the Public Appointments Service. In the first quarter of 2008, 172 applicants were interviewed, 109 of whom were approved, which is a significant figure.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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What would be the explanation for that? A total of how many applied, of whom 109 were approved?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 172 were interviewed and 109 were approved.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Why was there such a dramatic change from the position where only one in 14 got through the previous year?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It is a particularly good figure and is something the Deputy should welcome.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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That is not the issue. It is none of the Minister's business whether I welcome it — for the record, I do welcome it. Will the Minister answer the question? Why has this change occurred?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do no know because the recruitment process is dealt with by the Public Appointments Service.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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It is very rare that I agree with the GRA or the AGSI, but both organisations stated recently that the experiment with the Garda reserve has been a costly failure to date. Given the lack of impact of the members of the reserve force, how can the Minister stand over the significant spending on this service? Is the Minister aware that the cost to date is in the region of €500,000, almost €135,000 of which was spent on advertising alone? Has the Minister given full consideration to the cost of engaging a chief superintendent, a superintendent, several sergeants and a large number of other gardaí in the training and supervision of this tiny reserve force? Does he agree that the Garda reserve will not and cannot be a substitute for full-time, trained gardaí? The Minister should concentrate on civilianisation to ensure that gardaí are more effective, are on the beat and deal directly with crime.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I put it to the Minister that this has been a most disappointing campaign on the part of the Government. The Garda reserve process has resulted in failure. It was the brainchild of a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Michael McDowell who is on record as stating that the Government target would see figures in the order of 900 reservists by 2006. The programme for Government is committed to a force of 1,500. The numbers are already in decline. The Minister's response today indicates that there are currently 261 attested members. A parliamentary question answered on 4 March indicated that the figures for January were 277, including 60 in training. These people are falling off the back of the trailer already because there is no commitment on the part of the Government to the Garda reserve operation. I put it to the Minister that it has been a failure.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We are very supportive of the concept of a Garda reserve, notwithstanding the fact that it has not worked out, particularly in view of the fact that a divide has grown up between the community and the gardaí in recent years because people do not know their local gardaí. The concept of a reserve Garda force is welcome, but only if it is operated correctly. I assume reservists train in Templemore. I tabled several parliamentary questions concerning the fact that there is an enormous strain on the training resources, both human and physical, in Templemore. Has the Minister plans to improve the training facilities of the Garda Síochána?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Deputy Timmins for the complimentary remarks on the Garda reserve because it is a good initiative.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My remarks referred to the concept.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I do not accept for one minute that it is a failure, or a costly failure. The current level of funding for the recruiting and training of the Garda reserve force is in the region of €600,000 per year, which is a reasonable figure in the context of an overall sum of €1.6 billion for the Garda Síochána Vote.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Perhaps that is the problem. Does the Minister consider it might be the problem?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It assists the work of the Garda Síochána, which is welcome.

On the question of training, the members of the Garda Reserve receive substantial training, some 120 hours of initial training spread over four phases.

In response to Deputy Timmins's question on Garda training and Garda Reserve training generally, I acknowledge there is a strain on the existing facilities. That is one of the reasons there are plans to consider revamping the facilities in Templemore. However, that is the result of a successful campaign by the Government to increase the Garda numbers to 15,000 by 2010.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There are fewer than 14,000 gardaí now.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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If I remember correctly——

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The necessary resources are not provided and trainees have to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation. The Minister does not remember that correctly.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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——under Enda's famous contract, Fine Gael promised to increase Garda Síochána numbers to 15,000 by 2012.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There are still fewer than 14,000 now.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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We will move on to the next question, No. 89, in the name of Deputy Ó Caoláin.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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That is two years later than we promised to deliver that number.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That commitment still has not been fulfilled.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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We will deliver on that.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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There are fewer than 14,000 gardaí.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are 14,000 gardaí today——

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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No, there are fewer.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are more than 13,900 gardaí——

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Minister's memory is not clear today.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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——and 1,100 are in training——

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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It is not often the Minister is found not to have a good memory.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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——so we will reach the target of 15,000 two years earlier than the Deputy's party promised in the run up to the last general election.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I will tell the Minister——

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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What will the Deputy tell me?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I will lay the Minister a bet of €100——

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy was also part of that contract. He was off in Mullingar having a cup of coffee with them, was he not?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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——that he will not deliver on that commitment.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Whatever happened following that cup of coffee?

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Did the Minister not talk to his new boss about the money that is available?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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That cup of coffee cost the Deputy his job. That is why he is down there now and not leading the Labour Party.