Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before the committee today. There was a surplus of €1.8 million with regard to Garda compensation. I come from County Louth where in recent years two gardaí were murdered. Day in, day out in the Border area a Garda leaving his or her home is not always guaranteed to come home. Are many claims outstanding? In recent months, I have been speaking to gardaí who have made claims, but there seems to be no movement. All of a sudden there is a surplus of €1.8 million. How much money was spent in 2018? In the area I am from there is fuel laundering and smuggling, and almost every week a Garda car is rammed. I am sure there are a lot of compensation claims, particularly from the Border areas.

Deputy Clare Daly touched on the next issue I will raise. A total of €92 million has been allocated for capital expenditure next year. Does the €92 million include the surplus of €3.5 million being carried over? A total of €3 million is being reallocated from capital expenditure to ICT. I have mentioned a few times at committee meetings the conditions of some of the Garda stations in my area. They do not have the facilities to deal with people, in particular to be able to see to people given the violence of recent years. That €3 million would go a long way to alleviate this problem. I am sure the Minister is aware of incidences where people have come to Garda stations after being battered. Why allocate €3 million to ICT and not keep it where the money should be spent?

I am delighted to see Templemore has reopened. Its closure was a major mistake. There is nothing as good as seeing gardaí patrolling and walking the beat. It is great to have a Garda presence in an area. The Minister said money has been spent on the accommodation used in the training college. How many recruits does the Minister hope will come out of Templemore in 2018 and 2019? A few million euro are left over because, although the Minister said he expected more gardaí to retire in 2018, they do not seem to be retiring. They seem to be staying on the job.