Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total strength of the Garda Reserve; his plans for the future of the Reserve; the total 2013 budget for the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11661/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Garda Reserves is approximately 1,108 Garda Reserves with a further 138 in training. The moratorium on recruitment and appointments in the public service does not apply to the Garda Reserve, as members are volunteers and do not draw a salary. The Commissioner has carried out an internal review of the Reserve and has decided to extend their powers to include additional training in additional areas such as Domestic Violence, Child protection, Conflict Resolution, Garda policy on Bullying and Harassment, Out of Vehicle Safety Training (OVST), First Aid and Ample Probe Training. Continuous Professional Development courses continue to be provided annually to Garda Reserves on a Divisional basis.

I would like to assure the House that the Government are fully committed to the continued development of the Garda Reserve. I would also like to put on record my appreciation to the members of the Garda Reserve for their spirit of volunteerism and the services they provide to communities everywhere. The total budget for An Garda Síochána in 2013 is approximately €1.412 billion.