Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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617. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Garda Reserve and the geographical spread of active reservists by Garda district. [35794/19]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the allocation and distribution of resources including the recruitment and training of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve is entirely a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no responsibility in this matter. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.

The strength of the Garda Reserve in each of the years from 2009 to 30 June 2019, as provided by me by the Garda Commissioner, is available on my Department’s website at the following link

It should be noted that the distribution of Garda Reserves is included in that table on a Divisional basis only.

I am informed by An Garda Síochána that a class of approximately 100 Garda reserve recruits commenced training in March 2019 at the Garda College, Templemore. This is a positive development and delivers on the target set out under 'A Policing Service for the Future', the implementation plan for the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland.

Finally and as the Deputy may be aware, An Garda Síochána is currently conducting a strategic review of the Garda Reserve to inform future decisions around its use. This approach is in line with the recommendation in the Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. The Strategy is expected to inform the development and preparation for a new Reserve recruitment drive by the end of 2019.