Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1093. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has consulted with or has been engaged by the Garda Commissioner in respect of plans by an organisation (details supplied) to ballot members of the organisation regarding its views on his ability to fulfil his role as commissioner. [37489/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I want to assure the Deputy at the outset, that the Commissioner has my full confidence and that of the Government.

I have of course discussed the ballot and the issue of the Garda roster with the Commissioner on a number of occasions.

I recognise the importance of rosters to members of An Garda Síochána in providing an effective service to the public whilst maintaining a work-life balance.

I have said previously that the ballot in question will not change anything and that, like any industrial relations dispute, this matter can only be resolved through engagement between the parties.

The Workplace Relations Commission stands ready to assist in finding a resolution to this dispute in relation to rosters.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1094. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many gardaí were suspended from the force in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37495/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

However, to be of assistance I sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities and have been informed that 44 members of An Garda Síochána were suspended from duty commencing on a date between 1 January 2022 and the 31 December 2022.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1095. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many gardaí are currently suspended from the force and/or are on sick leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37496/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will appreciate, disciplinary matters within An Garda Síochána are governed by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) and the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, as amended by the Garda Síochána (Discipline) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, and are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

The Deputy will also appreciate that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for all HR matters relating to personnel within An Garda Síochána, including sick leave. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

However, to be of assistance I have sought the information as requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities.

I have been informed that, as of 8 August 2023 (the latest date for when figures are available), a total of 113 members of An Garda Síochána were suspended from duty.

For the Deputy's information, the Garda Commissioner provides monthly information on sick leave to the independent Policing Authority. These reports are published and available at: www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/general-reports/commissioner-s-monthly-reports-to-policing-authority/

I am advised that the below figures are acquired from the monthly Commissioner's Report for July. These figures are correct at the time each monthly report is run. If sick absence is recorded for the period in a subsequent month, this variance will be captured in the Garda Annual Report.

As of 31 July, 742 Garda members were recorded on sick leave, of which 213 were recorded as injured on duty. Of these, 496 Garda members were recorded as long-term sick (on sick leave of 28 days or longer), of which 206 were recorded as injured on duty.

Comparing July 2023 to July 2022, year on year ordinary illness days have decreased for Garda members by 1.83%.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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1096. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to expand the use of the Garda Reserve in order to ensure a greater presence of gardaí or Garda Reserve members on our streets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37500/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Government’s plan to modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, A Policing Service for our Future (APSFF), the Garda Commissioner has developed a Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which provides a roadmap for the development of this important service.

The Strategy published in October 2021, and available on the Garda website, is informed by an internal review of the Reserve, and sets out key commitments including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation. The Strategy aims to ensure that members of the Reserve are fully supported by local Garda management and that the role is recognised and promoted throughout the organisation.

The Garda Commissioner has established an implementation group and oversight committee to ensure the Strategy delivers on its objectives, and I look forward to working with him to increase the number of members of the Reserve and in realising its full potential as a resource to policing and in providing a pathway to full-time membership of An Garda Síochána, including from minority communities.

A priority is a new recruitment campaign, which is expected to be held in the first quarter of 2024, and on foot of which new reservists will be appointed.

I understand that the campaign will target a broad and inclusive range of candidates, in keeping with the Reserve's role as a visible form of community engagement. The Department of Justice is currently engaging with An Garda Síochána on revisions to the regulations governing the Reserve ahead of the commencement of this recruitment process.

I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continues to provide support and flexibility to Reserve Gardaí carrying out their functions in a voluntary capacity.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended). This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

Established in 2006, the Garda Reserve represents a real opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give something back to their communities. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing.

I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of the Reserve who volunteer their time for the community's benefit.