Garda Reserve rules are set to be overhauled ahead of a major recruitment campaign.

The Government intends to launch the Recruitment campaign in the coming weeks – with a target of hiring 1,000 new Garda Reservists by 2026.

It will mark the first recruitment drive since 2017.

The Garda Reserve has experienced major recruitment and retention problems in recent years in much the same way as the regular force and there are currently just 360 reserve officers available.

Members of the Reserve can work alongside the Garda Road Traffic Unit, assist with public order and crowd control and help with other day-to-day Garda work.

New Garda recruits at Templemore Garda College. Image: Eamonn Farrell/RollingNews

New regulations being brought to Cabinet by Justice Minister Helen McEntee today will see reservists permitted to work more than the 208 hours per year they are currently limited to.

The changes will also mean that reservists attending court will be considered to be on active duty.

It is the first update to the regulations since 2006.

Minister McEntee believes the new regulations will ensure Gardaí can provide better support and supervision for Reserve members and also make the provision of training more efficient.