Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of hours duty that have been logged by members of the Garda reserve since the inception of the reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33277/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested in relation to the number of hours duty that have been logged by members of the Garda Reserve since the inception of the Reserve is not readily available and can only be obtained by the disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources relative to the information sought.

However, Section 11(4) of the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006 states that 'A Reserve member may not be required to serve more than 208 hours of duty in any 12 month period'

The personnel strength of the Garda Reserve as at the 30 September 2008 was 254. The personnel strength of the Garda Reserves in training as at the 30th September 2008 was 157.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to date of training members of the Garda Reserve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33278/08]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the cost to date of promotion of the Garda Reserve on advertising it to potential members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33279/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

A total of €0.82 million has been directly incurred on the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve. This figure also includes expenditure in respect of necessary upgrade works carried out on the Garda Information System. The salary costs associated with the Garda trainers involved in training the Reserve members is not included as it is considered part of the trainers' normal duty.

A total of €0.48m was incurred by An Garda Síochána during the past 12 months (01/9/07 to 31/08/08) on advertising. This figure covers all advertising costs incurred, including promoting the Garda Reserve.