Written answers
Wednesday, 25 February 2009
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Reserve
11:00 pm
Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Question 66: 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 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; if restrictions have been placed on recruitment to the Reserve arising from budgetary restrictions; his views on the suggestion made by the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors that the Reserve should be scrapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7609/09]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The strength of the Garda Reserve as of 31 of January 2009 was 327, allocated to the following stations:
| Number | Number | ||
| Anglesea Street | 11 | Kilkenny | 6 |
| Arklow | 1 | Kilmainham | 4 |
| Ashbourne | 1 | Letterkenny | 5 |
| Athlone | 1 | Longford | 1 |
| Balbriggan | 3 | Lucan | 7 |
| Ballina | 3 | Macroom | 1 |
| Ballyfermot | 3 | Malahide | 1 |
| Baltinglass | 1 | Mayfield | 3 |
| Ballymun | 6 | Middleton | 3 |
| Bandon | 1 | Monaghan Town | 4 |
| Blackrock | 5 | Mullingar | 6 |
| Blanchardstown | 11 | Naas | 3 |
| Bray | 3 | Navan | 2 |
| Bridewell | 6 | Nenagh | 1 |
| Cahir | 1 | New Ross | 1 |
| Carlow | 5 | Newbridge | 2 |
| Carrick On Shannon | 1 | Pearse St | 17 |
| Carrick-On-Suir | 1 | Portlaoise | 1 |
| Castlebar | 8 | Raheny | 4 |
| Cavan Town | 3 | Rathfarnham | 3 |
| Celbridge | 1 | Rathmines | 2 |
| Clonakilty | 1 | Ronanstown | 1 |
| Clondalkin | 3 | Roscommon | 3 |
| Clonmel | 2 | Santry | 4 |
| Clontarf | 4 | Sligo | 6 |
| Coolock | 6 | Store St | 6 |
| Crumlin | 3 | Sundrive Rd | 2 |
| Donnybrook | 4 | Swords | 4 |
| Drogheda | 7 | Tallaght | 2 |
| Dun Laoghaire | 4 | Terenure | 3 |
| Dundalk | 5 | Thurles | 1 |
| Ennis | 9 | Tipperary Town | 1 |
| Enniscorthy | 1 | Togher | 4 |
| Fermoy | 2 | Tralee | 2 |
| Finglas | 4 | Tramore | 2 |
| Fitzgibbon Street | 5 | Trim | 1 |
| Galway | 18 | Tuam | 2 |
| Gorey | 1 | Tullamore | 4 |
| Gurranabraher | 6 | Watercourse Rd. | 3 |
| Henry Street | 10 | Waterford | 9 |
| Howth | 3 | Westport | 3 |
| Kells | 1 | Wexford | 1 |
| Kevin Street | 5 | Whitehall | 2 |
| Kildare | 3 | Wicklow | 1 |
Currently, there are 111 persons in training to become members of the Garda Reserve. A total of 23 attested Reserve Gardaí have become full time members of An Garda Síochána. In addition, eight Garda Reserve trainees left the Garda Reserve prior to attestation to become full time members of An Garda Síochána. I am satisfied that significant progress has been made in terms of the recruitment and appointment of members of the Garda Reserve. In particular, it must be borne in mind that recruits for the Reserve are required to undergo an extensive programme of training which includes assignment to Garda stations.
The Government is strongly committed to the development of the Reserve. Recruitment to the Reserve is continuing and regular promotional campaigns to attract Reserve members are being undertaken. For my part, I am fully satisfied that the Reserve provides a valuable contribution to the Garda Síochána and to the many communities where it is operating. In particular, I would like to express my appreciation to the members of the Reserve who serve on a voluntary basis and give of their time very generously.
No comments