Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the Garda Vote, the Minister of State has made reference to the supplementary funding being principally driven, among other things, by the €10 million funding for Garda overtime to increase high-visibility policing in the Dublin metropolitan region. While we will all support high-visibility policing, which is exactly what people are looking for, I have two questions. Is this sustainable? Is the €10 million required for overtime a product of having too few gardaí or that the rotas being operated are not able to ensure a sufficient number of gardaí on the street? Perhaps it is more likely to be an unfortunate combination of both those factors. We want high-visibility policing that is not funded by Garda overtime but is part of the general day-to-day business of the Garda. What are we doing to ensure the Garda is able to provide that?

My second point relates to preventative policing. Much of the rioting and disorder we saw on the streets could have been prevented by proper policing of violent elements who are intent on causing harm. While there have been positive developments and supports provided through the youth justice programme, the community policing sector is crying out for extra resources. Many of the resources in that sector have been pulled into this high-visibility policing when we really need both. Is this funding sustainable? What are we doing to address the underlying issues to ensure we do not have to come back this time next year for yet another Supplementary Estimate for overtime?