Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 195: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda reserves; and the number presently in training. [6887/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment and training of 1,500 members of the Garda Reserve. The first group of 36 Garda Reserves completed their training and were formally attested as members of An Garda Síochána on 15th December 2006. They have been deployed in Dublin (Store Street and Pearse Street), Cork (Anglesea Street), Galway City and Sligo. The second group commenced training in the Garda College at Templemore on 20th January 2007. This group consists of 52 Garda Reserve trainees who will be deployed in Blanchardstown, Santry, Dún Laoghaire, Tallaght, Limerick, Clare, Sligo, Galway and Kerry. It is expected that they will be attested in May.

The Deputy will also be aware of my recent announcement to change the recruitment procedures. Garda Superintendents at local level will in future have a direct role in the recruitment process. This should lead to a speedier achievement of the targeted strength of the Garda Reserve.