Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the typical duties carried out by Garda Reservists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27151/08]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 112: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of members of the Garda Reserve recruited to date; the stations to which they have been allocated; the number of applicants for the Reserve currently in training; if he is satisfied with the rate of recruitment; when he expects that the full complement of 1,500 will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27047/08]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the progress of recruitment in the Garda Reserve force to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27150/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 112 and 114 together.

At 30th June 2008, there were 258 attested Reserve Gardaí and 93 Reserve trainees. The 258 attested members currently operational are assigned to the following stations:

Dublin Metropolitan Region

Pearse St, Kevin Street, Kilmainham, Donnybrook, Store St, Bridewell, Fitzgibbon Street, Clondalkin, Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot, Blanchardstown, Ronanstown, Santry, Raheny, Swords, Clontarf, Coolock, Ballymun, Balbriggan, Malahide, Howth, Crumlin, Sundrive Road, Rathmines, Terenure, Tallaght, Rathfarnham, Dun Laoghaire and Blackrock .

Cork

Mayfield, Gurranabraher, Midleton, Fermoy, Anglesea Street, Watercourse Road and Togher.

Other Regions

Sligo, Galway, Henry Street Limerick, Ennis, Tralee, Waterford, Tramore, Kilkenny, Wexford, New Ross, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Arklow, Wicklow, Bray, Newbridge, Blessington, Naas, Carlow, Clonmel, Cahir, Carrick on Suir, Tipperary town, Thurles, Cavan town, Monaghan town, Drogheda, Dundalk, Kells, Navan, Castlebar, Westport, Ballina, Mullingar, Longford, Letterkenny, Tullamore, Portlaoise and Roscommon .

The Agreed Programme for Government has set a target strength for the Reserve at 10% of the full-time strength of the force. In the Annual Policing Plan for 2008 the Garda Commissioner has set a target of recruiting 270 Reserve members this year. As the Garda Reserve depends on volunteers who undertake their training and other duties during their free time, it is difficult to predict how many people will commence training in any particular period. However I can assure the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner is making every effort to reach the recruitment target.

Recruitment is continuing and regular promotional efforts to attract potential Reserve members are being undertaken. In February and March 2007, the Garda Commissioner appointed a Chief Superintendent and Superintendent to co-ordinate the management and promotion of the Garda Reserve.

There is an on-going marketing campaign to recruit members to the Garda Reserve. This is achieved through local media interviews, radio advertisements, cinema advertisements, and public transport advertisements. Also, stands were taken at the Ploughing Championships, the Young Scientist of the Year Awards and FÁS Opportunities in Croke Park. The Garda Reserve featured on the RTE Crime Call programme and a promotional DVD was commissioned and forwarded to all second level schools in the country. This DVD was transmitted on the City Channel for three months. Promotional material on the Garda Reserve has been forwarded to each District Officer in the country to be disseminated to post offices, libraries, leisure centres, shopping centres, banks and credit unions in their District, as well as to local residents associations, neighbourhood watch groups and community alert groups.

The mission of the Garda Reserve is to provide an efficient response and a quality service at all times and to enhance partnership between An Garda Síochána and the local community.

Under section 15 (5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the range of powers and duties of Reserve Gardaí is a matter for the Garda Commissioner to determine. The Garda Commissioner has initially determined that the duties of a Reserve member shall include the following:

Station Duty, other than the care and custody of prisoners;

Assistant to the Station Orderly;

Communications room duty, to include monitoring CCTV;

Foot patrol, accompanied by a member of the permanent Garda Service;

Static Security duty;

Road Traffic checkpoint duties, accompanied by a full time member;

Duty at the outer cordon of major events such as festivals and major sporting events;

Assisting in the event of accidents, fires and major emergencies;

Giving evidence in Court;

Community/Neighbourhood Policing;

Members of the Garda Reserve carry out most or all of the above duties. In addition, are predominantly engaged in foot patrol and duties at major events, such as sporting events and festivals. A small number are involved in Community / Neighbourhood policing. Some members of the Garda Reserve have assisted with the marketing of the Garda Reserve at a local level by attending promotional events.