Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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There are currently no plans to change the age which members of the Reserve can join currently An Garda Síochána, which is 35 years of age. However the Deputy may be interested to know that the issue of entry routes into An Garda Síochána, in a broader context, is currently under review. This work will be taken forward as part of the ongoing implementation of A Policing Service for the Future which is bringing forward the recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Policing.

The Deputy may also be interested to know that 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. I look forward to receiving the findings of this review, which I understand is nearing completion and is intended to inform the development of and preparation for a new Garda Reserve recruitment drive.

As the Deputy may be aware, entry to the Garda Reserve is governed by the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2006, which states that 'a person is eligible to apply for admission as a reserve where, on the closing date specified in the advertisement for the competition for the vacancy to which the admission relates, the person is not less than 18, but under 60, years of age when commencing the prescribed training'.

The compulsory retirement age for members of the Garda Reserve is 65 years of age.