Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 495: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Garda Reserve will reach 10% of the total strength of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18419/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Garda Commissioner is proceeding with the recruitment and training of Garda Reserve members. There are currently 117 attested Garda Reserve members and a further 73 in training.

Applications to join the Garda Reserve are still being accepted by the Public Appointments Service and further interviews will take place over the coming weeks and months. A Chief Superintendent and Superintendent are deployed full-time on marketing and advertising the Garda Reserve in support of the recruitment campaign and a schedule is in place for the training of members of the Garda Reserve. It is envisaged that a group of trainees will commence training every month.

Reserve members undertake their training and other duties on a voluntary basis during their free time. As a result it is not possible to predict how many people will commence training in any particular month. I cannot predict exactly when the 10% target will be reached but I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána are making every effort to reach it as soon as possible.