Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reservists in the Roscommon-Longford Garda division. [27414/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Has the Leas-Cheann Comhairle skipped Question No. 15?

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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We are on Question No. 16.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for her reply. It is good to hear the announcement of that figure going up to 300. We on this side of the House might have had a little say in that. It is significant. However, I want to go back to the main point here. As I said to the Minister, 11 reservists in the Roscommon-Longford district is the second lowest in the country, and that is down seven, from 18 in 2014. I acknowledge what the Minister has said to us, but there has been very little done with the Garda Reserve. I am looking here at the Garda Inspectorate report Changing Policing in Ireland, which was published before last Christmas.

It pointed out that despite receiving considerable training, reserves are not consistently or strategically utilised for operational purposes. Furthermore, the inspectorate pointed out there was no identified champion for the reserve programme within the Garda.

Given the huge drop in the number of reservists over the past two years, it is important to have somebody within the Garda to take on that role and deal with it. The reservists have an important role to play. We often see members of the Garda Síochána trying to help out communities at different events - a major festival, a funeral or whatever. The role of the reservists in helping out members of the Garda Síochána, who have much more important things to do, is very important.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, published last month, pledged to continue-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy has spoken for a minute and a half.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister knows where I am coming from.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will have another opportunity.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the announcement here,-----

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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I call the Tánaiste.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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-----but we need to do more and be serious about the reserve.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will have another opportunity, but I will have to cut half a minute from his time.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure the Tánaiste agrees we need a dynamic approach to the issue. As she and I have said, the reserves will become extremely important in assisting An Garda Síochána in the years ahead. It is a good system. I welcome what the Tánaiste has said this evening. I ask her to ensure this project gets full attention.

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The audit is expected to be completed early in the new year. It is expected that the recruitment of the 300 extra reserves will begin in the middle of the year and that will be accelerated in the following years to ensure we double the number. It is an important role. Some people want to do it as a role in itself, but others see it as a route into An Garda Síochána. Now that we have a particular stream, people will be encouraged to join. I hope all Deputies will ensure that their constituents are aware of this recruitment. Tomorrow is the final date for the new recruitment to An Garda Síochána.