Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda Reserve at the latest date for which figures are available; the numbers he expects will be in place by 1 June 2007; when the promised full complement of 1,500 will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6828/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

Further interviews were held in recent weeks for applicants from counties Waterford, Cork, Kilkenny, Wexford, Tipperary, Carlow, Kildare, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Meath and Wicklow. Applicants from other areas will be interviewed on a rolling basis over the coming weeks and months.

Training for the next group of Reserve trainees is scheduled to commence in early March and it is expected that they would be attested in June. It is also expected that further groups of Reserve trainees will commence training on a monthly basis.

By June of this year there will be three groups of trainees who will have been attested. It is difficult to specify exactly how many Garda Reserve members will be included in this group as the selection of the third group of trainees is still ongoing. As the nature of the scheme is purely voluntary, I cannot definitively say what any particular monthly intake of volunteers will be. Garda Reserve trainees will have work, family and other commitments which they will have to balance with their service with An Garda Síochána. An Garda Síochána is offering maximum flexibility in this regard to accommodate those who wish to put themselves forward for service.

While I am satisfied generally with the progress being made in the recruitment and training of Reserve members, I consider that the process of initial recruitment can be made more efficient if it is given a local dimension in that context. I have asked the Garda Commissioner and he has agreed to involve local Garda Superintendents directly in local recruitment arrangements to attract suitable candidates from the local community. This will assist in ensuring that the 1,500 target is reached as soon as possible.

The Commissioner has also recently appointed a Chief Superintendent to oversee the Garda Reserve on a full-time basis. I will of course, in conjunction with the Commissioner, keep all procedures relating to the Garda Reserve under review to ensure that target figure of 1,500 is reached.