Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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1129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current number of members of the Garda Reserve. [37917/23]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1159. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for a breakdown in tabular form for the past five years for the number and ranks of gardaí in the Garda Reserves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38316/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1129 and 1159 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve.

As Minister, I have no responsibility in these matters. 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.

As the Deputy is aware the Garda Reserve is a voluntary, unpaid body drawn from the community to assist the existing Service at times when extra personnel are required. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no rank structure within the Garda Reserve, each Reserve Garda is assigned to either a regular, events or community policing unit in their assigned Garda station. I am further informed that there are currently 364 Garda Reserves.

I am advised by Garda management that a recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve is expected in the first quarter of 2024. The Reserve reinforces An Garda Síochána's essential community links, and provides capacity to draw on additional resources to assist in policing.

The table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Garda Reserves at end December 2019 up to end July 2023, the latest date for which figures are available.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1130. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if funding has been provided for the purchase of a replacement truck for the equipment transport truck for the Garda Band. [37942/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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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), which includes all decisions related to the provision of fleet vehicles to the various units of An Garda Síochána.

I am assured that the purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the purchase of a replacement truck for the Garda Band is currently not planned.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a new contract for the purchase of additional mountain bikes for An Garda Síochána will be put out to tender before year end and the number of e-bikes and e-scooters in the Garda fleet. [37944/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible by law for the management and administration of Garda business, which includes all decisions related to the provision of Garda equipment to the Garda fleet and the operational deployment of Garda resources. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions and have no role in the issuance of contracts for purchase of Garda equipment, which are governed by standard Government procurement guidelines.

I have been advised by Garda management that (as of 18 August) there are 556 mountain bikes issued nationally for use by Garda members engaged in bike patrols. There are also six e-bikes being piloted in the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central and South Central Divisions, with the potential purchase of an three additional e-bikes being considered.

There are no e-scooters within the Garda fleet and there are no plans for the use of mopeds for policing in urban areas at present.

I am further advised that An Garda Síochána intends to tender for additional mountain bikes for the service later this year, with a view to accepting delivery of new bikes in early 2024.