Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has welcomed confirmation from the Minister for Justice that a Garda Reserve recruitment campaign will commence soon.
However, he warned that other measures Sinn Féin has called for must be prioritised also.
The information was supplied in reply to a Parliamentary Question about the Garda Reserve regulations.
Teachta Daly said:
“The Minister has finally confirmed to me that she will bring the regulations to cabinet for approval within the coming weeks. She also said that a recruitment campaign will commence in “Q1 of 2024” and that preparations for this campaign are ongoing.
“This is welcome and long-overdue news, as Sinn Féin has been calling for the regulations to be updated for quite some time now. I welcome that the Minister has finally heeded these calls, as communities have been desperately seeking support for some time now.
“Although Reserve members cannot replace full time, highly trained and sworn Gardaí, they can offer a capacity to cover events and other duties which would otherwise occupy full time Gardaí.
“With news that the removal of the upper age limit, something Sinn Féin also called for, has seen an increase in applications to the latest Garda recruitment drive, progress in this area needs to be seen soon.
“Communities deserve to feel safe and protected. But the reality is that communities feel badly let down by Fine Gael’s soft-touch approach to crime.
“The blame for the current state of affairs lies squarely with Fine Gael, who neglected the recruitment of Gardaí for so long, with numbers of sworn members dipping below 14,000 recently whilst resignations increased to decades long highs.
“Sinn Féin will continue to hold the government to account, with recruitment targets needing to be met and exceeded to restore service levels by An Garda Síochána to what is required to ensure public safety. A Sinn Féin government will ensure communities can feel safe and protected.
“Last summer, I launched our party’s policy document Keeping Communities Safe. This how Sinn Féin would get to grips with policing and crime. I welcome that the Minister has finally taken some positive steps, however she must now listen to Sinn Féin’s other proposals including a public transport police unit and a recruitment and retention taskforce.”
Note to editors: The Parliamentary Question response is below
For Written Answer on :13/02/2024
Question Number(s): 479Question Reference(s): 6621/24
Department:Justice
Asked by: Pa Daly T.D.
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QUESTION
To ask the Minister for Justice to provide an update on the renewed Garda Reserve regulations; and when she anticipates their publication and enactment.
REPLY
I would like to acknowledge the important contribution made by all members of the Garda Reserve who volunteer their time for the community’s benefit.
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 additional resources to assist in policing. The Reserve also provides an opportunity for individuals who may be interested in joining An Garda Síochána to experience the work of the Gardaí before deciding if it is the career they wish to pursue.
I will be seeking Government approval for revised Garda Reserve Regulations in the coming weeks.
The Garda Commissioner has confirmed that he will undertake a Garda Reserve competition at the earliest possible date, which it is envisaged will be in quarter one of 2024, once the new Reserve Regulations are in place.
In preparation for a Garda Reserve recruitment campaign, An Garda Síochána have been actively engaging with the Department of Justice and the Public Appointments Service with a view to maximising the success of this recruitment campaign.
