Written answers

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Reserve

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when a person (details supplies) will be admitted as a Garda Reserve having completed the application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17754/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, recruitment to the Garda Reserve is governed by the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006. The Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, manages the initial recruitment stages for selection of Garda Reserve members with the final stages of the recruitment process being managed by the Garda Commissioner and I, as Minister, have no direct involvement 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 as part of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 which will also comprise 15,000 Gardaí and 4,000 civilians.

To support the expansion of the Reserve the Commissioner undertook a recruitment campaign for Garda Reserves last March which attracted 2,394 applicants, of whom 498 successfully completed the initial stages carried out by PAS. These applications are currently being processed by the Garda Appointments Office. The time frame for this can vary due to a number factors including the length of the vetting process which may, for example, be more time consuming if the applicant has resided abroad or is deferred for medical reasons. Positions for training to become a member of the Reserve are only offered when all stages of the application process are completed and there is a need to ensure there are sufficient candidates for a class to enter training in the Garda College. It is expected that the first class from the current competition will commence training in the coming months.

Reserve members make a very valuable contribution to the communities they serve throughout the country and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those who have expressed an interest in joining their numbers.

I have been informed by the PAS and the Garda Appointments Office that any candidate involved in the recruitment process for the Garda Reserve competition must contact the Public Appointments Service or Garda Appointments Office themselves should they have any queries in relation to their application as these offices will not disclose or discuss any application to third parties in accordance with Data Protection policies.

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