645. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications to the Garda Reserves in 2024, 2025 and so date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45018/26]

646. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of applications to the Garda Reserves that were successful in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45019/26]

647. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda Reserves that were attested in 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45020/26]

648. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Garda Reserves currently operational, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45021/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 645, 646, 647 and 648 together.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A further class of 15 trainee reserves entered training in March 2026 and attested earlier this month.

Information in relation to the allocation of Garda Reserve members by Division is publicly available and can be found at the following link:

https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2026/april-2026.html.