Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their engagement, which has been very interesting. It highlights how incredibly challenging all of this is. In terms of the local partnership structure, a major issue for PSNI members is the job of working positively with the community. Assistant Chief Constable Todd mentioned service gaps several times. Children are falling through the cracks because of service gaps and children and some adults find it hard reach a good space because of them. We are highly conscious of that in the South also. For example, in County Wexford mental health services are only open for those who need to access them between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., from Monday to Friday. It must be a nightmare providing for those who need those services outside those core hours. If that falls on the plate of the Garda or the police force, as it does much of the time, surely there must be a greater need for the education of policing personnel to deal with these very complex and difficult areas. Is Assistant Chief Constable Todd satisfied that the education of his members is of a sufficient standard to manage these difficult challenges?