Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
783. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current number of Garda reserves; how many of these are waiting to be trained; the average wait time between when they are recruited and when they begin training; the average wait time between when they are recruited and when they complete training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2275/25]
View answer784. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the measures he will take to increase Garda reserve intake beyond the current intake annually; the annual planned increase, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2276/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 783 and 784 together.
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). The Commissioner is also responsible for the Garda Reserve under the Garda Síochána (Reserve Members) Regulations 2024. As Minister, I have no role in the recruitment or training process for the Reserve.
Garda Reserves bring a variety of experiences and perspectives to An Garda Síochána, including local knowledge and links to the communities in which they serve, which brings to life An Garda Síochána’s core value of community policing.
The most recent Garda Reserve recruitment campaign closed on 4 July 2024. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the competition attracted around 1,800 initial applications. The first names of candidates successful at interview were provided by publicjobs to An Garda Síochána in August 2024. All successful candidates are progressing through the vetting and medical stages. As these processes are completed, training will commence.
As of the end of 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 319 Garda Reserves nationwide.
As the Deputy may be aware, in the interest of transparency, information in relation to the breakdown of Garda Reserve nationally, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/
