Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2026
152. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda reserves recruited in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; the areas that they have been allocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40489/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will address a number of concerns with regard to Garda Reserve operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40701/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra157. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the position regarding the Garda reserve strategy 2021-2025. [40704/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 156 and 157 together.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024. This includes all Garda Reserve operational matters. The Commissioner is independent in his functions under Section 34 of the Act.
Established in 2006, Garda Reserves play a vital role in their communities. The position presents a unique opportunity for anyone wishing to support policing and give back to their communities. It offers people from all backgrounds a policing experience. I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of the Reserve who volunteer their time for the community's benefit.
To modernise and strengthen An Garda Síochána, the Garda Commissioner developed a Garda Reserve Strategy 2021-2025, which provided a roadmap for the development of this important service. The Strategy was informed by an internal review of the Reserve, and sets out key commitments including recruitment, training and development, deployment, governance and evaluation. The Strategy aimed 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. My officials are currently engaging with An Garda Síochána regarding the development of a successor to the Strategy.
The most recent competition to recruit Garda Reserves opened in June 2024 and received over 1,800 applications. In addition, to support the development of the Reserve, the maximum stipend a Reserve member receives for voluntary service in a given year has been increased from €1,000 to €3,000.
The Programme for Government commits to examining a range of further measures to enable An Garda Síochána to increase the Garda Reserve and ensure new intakes annually. This is in addition to recruiting 5,000 Garda members as well as increasing Garda staff numbers. These commitments are supported by successive increases in the Garda Vote, including unprecedented funding of €2.74billion in Budget 2026.
I am advised that the first cohort of 19 successful candidates from the Garda Reserve competition entered Templemore in 2025 and 17 of these attested in November 2025. The 17 Garda Reserves were allocated as follows:
Dublin Region - 8.
Eastern Region - 1.
Southern Region - 3.
North Western Region - 5.
A further class of Garda Reserves is currently in training.
Information in relation to the allocation of Garda Reserve members by Division is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2026/march-2026.html.
