Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay North and Party Spokesperson on Justice, Tom Brabazon, has called on the new Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly, to prioritise the launch of a major recruitment campaign for the Garda Reserve.
The Garda Reserve is a voluntary body drawn from local communities to assist An Garda Síochána. Deputy Brabazon emphasised that Reserves play a vital role in upholding law and order and strengthening community policing.
“The Garda Reserve is a fantastic body rooted in local communities. It makes a real and tangible contribution to policing across the country. From both a visibility and support perspective, the Reserve is an invaluable resource,” he said.
In his own constituency, Deputy Brabazon has said Garda resources are stretched, ending up in delays to 999 calls. He suggested that by allowing Garda reserves support the Gardaí on these calls, it allows the force to be as efficient as possible.
“In my own constituency in Dublin Bay North, there has been an issue with delayed reaction to 999 calls. I believe by allowing the Garda Reserves assist on these calls for example, will help the force as a whole. Garda visibility is the best form of crime prevention,” he said.
A Defence Force Reserve-like model is something Brabazon believes will benefit the force, allowing Garda Reserves a pathway to joining the force.
“The Defence Forces Reserves have a model in place where citizens offer up part time service, but the end goal will be that they become a soldier, albeit a longer route. This would be beneficial for An Garda Síochána, enabling the force to be as efficient as possible.
Last year, the Government introduced new regulations governing recruitment, training, and deployment of the Reserve. These reforms provide a modernised framework, particularly around training and service conditions.
Key changes included: greater flexibility in training, ensuring recruits are trained efficiently and to the highest standard, updated duty arrangements, allowing members to volunteer for additional hours, and an increase in the annual stipend cap for voluntary service from €1,000 to €3,000.
Deputy Brabazon is also urging Commissioner Kelly to capitalise on these reforms by launching a nationwide recruitment drive focused on the opportunities and rewards of joining the Garda Reserve.
“Garda Reserves are hugely valuable to An Garda Síochána - whether supporting major events such as concerts, parades, and matches, or assisting at station level,” he said. “The new regulations introduced last year provide high-quality training, more flexible hours, and improved financial recognition. These are excellent incentives that should be strongly highlighted in a recruitment campaign.”
Concluding, Deputy Brabazon stressed the importance of a campaign that celebrates both the honour of service and the new benefits available to members.
“As Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson, I am calling on the new Garda Commissioner to deliver a robust recruitment campaign that showcases the valuable contribution of Reserves and the personal rewards of the role. In parallel, I will continue to engage with Government to ensure we do everything possible to support and promote this initiative.”
ENDS