Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of members of the public that have joined the Garda Reserve since March 2011. [13910/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that on the 31 March 2011 there were 766 Reserve Gardaí, and as of the 29 February, 2012 the latest date for which figures are readily available, the strength of the Garda Reserve was 935.

The target strength of the Garda Reserve remains at 10% of the full time Force and I would like to assure the House that the Government are fully committed to the Garda Reserve and recruitment to it is ongoing. Members of the Garda Reserve make a valuable contribution to policing and are drawn from a variety of backgrounds, professions and include representatives of 26 other countries.

I would like to place on record my appreciation of the members of the reserve who give of their time on a voluntary basis and for their ongoing commitment to the Garda Síochána.