Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach and Senators for the opportunity to address the House on this matter. I thank Senator McDowell who sought this discussion. We have spoken about the issue and I am very grateful to have the opportunity to explore it.

I express my gratitude to the members of the Garda Reserve for their commitment and dedication to community safety. The time volunteered by all reservists has been of huge benefit to their communities since the Garda Reserve was founded in 2006 by the then Minister for Justice, Senator McDowell. The Garda Reserve is an important resource to support the work of An Garda Síochána in the provision of a community-based policing service and provides people with an opportunity to give something back. The success of the Garda is only possible through the dedication and commitment of its members and the Garda Reserve has further strengthened these links between our police service and our communities.

As part of the Government's plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, A Policing Service for our Future, the Garda Commissioner developed a Garda Reserve strategy which provides a roadmap for the development of this important service. Published in October 2021, the strategy was informed by an internal review of the reserve. It sets out key commitments, including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation. A new recruitment campaign is a priority and I am pleased to confirm to the Seanad that a new recruitment campaign for members of the Garda Reserve will be held later this year, most likely in the month of November, and on foot of this, new members of the Garda Reserve will be appointed. The campaign will target a broad and inclusive range of candidates in keeping with the reserve's role as a visible form of community engagement. My Department is currently engaging with An Garda Síochána on revisions to the regulations governing the reserve ahead of the commencement of this recruitment process. The Garda Commissioner has established an implementation group and an oversight committee to ensure the Garda Reserve strategy delivers on its objectives.

Another aim of the strategy is to ensure that members of the Garda Reserve are fully supported by Garda management and their role is recognised and promoted throughout the organisation. This is a very important point. If we are to expand the Garda Reserve and recruit more members to it, as we are doing, it is important we make sure reserve gardaí are seen as part of the overall team in terms of community safety and that their role is valued, supported by management, and promoted and recognised throughout the organisation.

A briefing pack is being developed that will be available for all Garda personnel to increase organisational awareness of the Garda Reserve. An internal communications strategy will also be developed to support new processes and procedures as they are implemented. It is intended that reserve forums will be reintroduced to recognise the reserve's voluntary contribution and good work. I am assured that An Garda Síochána is committed to reinforcing organisational capacity to manage the Garda Reserve. During my time as Minister for Justice, I have discussed this matter directly with the Garda Commissioner a number of times. This will be done through the introduction of streamlined processes and procedures which will support the revised Garda Reserve policy document and embed the role of the Garda Reserve within the organisation.

The contribution of reserve gardaí has been marked by the Government and the Garda Commissioner in recent years. In 2016, to mark the tenth anniversary of the first attestation of Garda reserves, the Garda Commissioner introduced a certificate of appreciation for their long service. This certificate is signed by the Garda Commissioner and presented to each reserve garda after they have completed ten years of service. Last year, we marked the centenary of the formation of An Garda Síochána with a series of commemorative events across the country. Throughout the year, special items were awarded, which recognised the contribution each individual has made to lay the foundation for the success of An Garda Síochána. Members of the Garda Reserve received a special commemorative medal and certificate which served as a reminder that the work they do is hugely appreciated by me as Minister, the Commissioner and the people of Ireland.

I am assured by An Garda Síochána that consideration is being given to ensuring the Garda Reserve can also serve as a pathway to future recruitment competitions for Garda members. This in an interesting idea. It is not that someone would have to go from being a Garda reservist to being a member of An Garda Síochána but that if an individual in the Garda reserve would like to become a fully sworn member of An Garda Síochána and has a desire to progress to that position, there would be a clear pathway in place. This pathway would further strengthen An Garda Síochána and perhaps provide a further incentive for people who have a desire to help in their local community.

Each of these are vital steps towards our goal of building stronger, safer communities. As we move towards next year, when we will establish a community safety partnership in each local authority area, this is a recognition by the Government that An Garda Síochána has a major role to play in keeping communities safe but so too do lots of other organisations and the community at large. That further strengthens and reinforces the need for a Garda Reserve and the role reserve gardaí can play in their communities.

I thank Seanad Éireann and members of the House for the opportunity to speak on this topic. I express sincere thanks to members of the Garda Reserve for volunteering their time for the benefit of communities across the country. They provide a quality service, support proactive policing and represent a partnership between An Garda Síochána and the many communities they serves. This deep connection to communities and a commitment to service are embedded in the culture of An Garda Síochána, which is something gardaí should be immensely proud of.

While it is unfortunate that Garda Reserve numbers have dropped in recent years, this is a result of a number of factors, including the understandable desire to prioritise Garda recruitment again after both the financial crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic. The Garda Commissioner has implemented a strategic plan to now see the Garda Reserve utilised to its full potential. The upcoming recruitment campaign will provide an opportunity to strengthen the workforce, strengthen the Garda Reserve and help bring the total workforce closer to its target.

I am delighted to see a strong response to Garda recruitment, with more than 400 trainee members of An Garda Síochána either in Templemore or signed up to go to Templemore this year. There will be a return to greater numbers of gardaí going into Templemore than retiring or resigning from the force this year. By the end of the year, we will be back to a period of growth in An Garda Síochána and back to annual recruitment campaigns. In the most recent recruitment campaign, nearly 5,000 people said that they wanted to be a member of An Garda Síochána. To be crystal clear, from the point of view of the Government, the Department and the Garda Commissioner, with the new recruitment campaign, the Garda Reserve will play a very important role in the overall policing picture in Ireland.