David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which members of the new Garda reserve force will be compensated in the event of loss of wages from their civilian employment due to injuries received in the course of carrying out duties as members of the Garda reserve force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8745/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Section 15 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a Garda reserve and Deputies will recall that the measure won widespread support in the House during the passage of the Act.

I have just recently received the Commissioner's proposals for the Garda reserve and I can advise the Deputy that these proposals specifically address issues relating to the training, powers and duties of reserve members and other issues including compensation. It would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the detail of the proposals before I have had an opportunity to examine them closely and to consult with the Commissioner on them, as required. Following examination of the Commissioner's proposals, I will be drawing up the necessary regulations for the approval of Government under the Act and, as part of that process, there will be consultations with the Garda representative associations.

The Garda reserve will be a supplement to, and emphatically not a replacement, for gardaí. Proof of this is the current increase in the strength of the force from 12,000 to 14,000 members. This programme is well under way and will lead to a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of this year. The Garda budget is also at an all time high. This year's allocation of €1.29 billion represents an increase of 13% on the allocation for 2005. It includes provision of over €83.5 million for overtime, an increase of €23 million on last year's allocation, which will yield over 2.7 million hours of Garda overtime for front-line policing throughout the State.

The Garda reserve will be a valuable additional support for the Garda Síochána. It will enhance its capacity to respond to emerging policing challenges and will reinforce its links with local communities. At a time when gardaí increasingly do not live in the areas that they police, the Garda reserve will be a valuable source of local strength and knowledge. The proposal for the reserve has the support of the Oireachtas and, I believe, the support of the public. I have undertaken to consult constructively with the Garda representative associations on the proposals, and I will be asking them, for their part, to undertake to respect the clear will of the Oireachtas in this matter and to engage positively in those consultations.