Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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173. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda reserves serving in An Garda Síochána as of 24 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51303/17]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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177. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the strength of the Garda Reserve by Garda division on 31 October 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50726/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 177 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the recruitment and training of the Garda Reserve and the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.

The "Programme for a Partnership Government" includes a commitment to double the Garda Reserve to act in a supportive role undertaking local patrols and crime reduction measures. In line with this the Government has in place a plan to achieve a Reserve strength of 2,000 by 2021. I am pleased that Budget 2018 will facilitate the continued strengthening of the Reserve next year with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018 following the undertaking of a recruitment campaign earlier this year.

In conjunction with the major expansion of the Reserve over the next number of years we must ensure that it is used to optimum effect to support effective policing. To inform future decisions around the use of the Reserve An Garda Síochána is conducting a strategic review as a matter of priority with a view to completion before the end of this year. As a first step the Garda Executive has taken a decision to transfer the management of the Reserve from the Human Resource and People Development Directorate to the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for Community Engagement. This is intended to ensure that its development and deployment is viewed more broadly through a community policing lens. This is a very welcome step as it is my strong view that the greatest dividend to be gained from the Reserve is in terms of a visible presence on the ground engaging with local communities.

The review will take cognisance of the changed environment in which the expanded Reserve will operate as the major reform programme that is underway is implemented. These reforms include the drive towards a medium term target of 20% civilians by 2021 to boost the management capacity of the organisation and to free up Gardaí to front-line policing duties, and also the phased implementation of the Divisional model of policing to enable resources to be deployed more efficiently to prevent and detect crime.

Garda Reserve Strength 31 October 2017