Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that recruitment to the Garda Reserve is progressing at a satisfactory rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21120/08]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his vision of the role of the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21121/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the assessment of both the Garda Representative Association and the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that the Garda Reserve is a failed and costly exercise which should be scrapped. [21069/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113, 154 and 156 together.

I believe that the establishment of the Garda Reserve, with the support of the vast majority of the members of this House, is one of the most important innovations in policing in Ireland in recent years. It has strengthened the links with local communities and is a source of local support and knowledge. It brings new life to the organisation through its members. They bring a fresh and innovative approach to policing as they approach their duties with the different perspectives and skills developed in their everyday jobs and lives. The establishment of the Reserve allows committed individuals from a great diversity of professional, social, cultural and ethnic groups to take part in policing.

The Garda Reserve is far from a failed and costly exercise. The expenditure directly incurred in the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve has been modest. The benefits accrued to date far outweigh this expenditure. At this point the Garda Reserve has members in all Garda divisions in the country. Reserve members are being well received by full-time members and making a significant contribution to policing in their communities.

I would hope that the Garda Representative Association and the association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors will focus on helping to make the Reserve work. This is in the interests of their members who voted to accept the initiative and the country as a whole.

There are currently 261 attested Reserve Gardaí and 46 Reserve trainees. The Agreed Programme for Government has set a target strength for the Reserve at 10% of the full-time strength of the force. Recruitment is continuing and regular promotional efforts to attract potential Reserve members are being undertaken. Garda 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 period. In the Annual Policing Plan for 2008 the Garda Commissioner has set a target of recruiting 270 members this year. The next class of Reserve trainees will commence training on the 7th of June.

I cannot predict exactly when the full complement of Garda Reserve members will be reached but I can assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner is making every effort to reach it.