Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The additional €28 million for overtime is welcome. That will not just be allocated in our capital city, where there has been a particular focus; it is to have a benefit right across the country. It must be taken in the context of a number of other changes. First and foremost, the way we can respond to issues as they arise is by ensuring we have as many gardaí to respond as possible. Overtime is a short-term measure in times of need but a particular focus on increasing the number of gardaí has to be the priority. As the Chair will know, last year we had an intake that was higher than in several years. There were over 750 new members across five different intakes. We have a recruitment campaign that will be ongoing until 8 February. There is already good interest in it. I hope to have biannual recruitment campaigns to ensure a sustained level of recruitment to the Garda College. However, overtime is important for many reasons, including for significant events, not only the riots before Christmas but also the likes of the visit of the US President. In such cases, it is necessary to have the overtime resource available. The allocation of €28 million for overtime will be very welcome. It is a matter for the Commissioner to decide where the money is spent, but I have no doubt that it will be used right across the country and that small villages, as well as larger towns and cities, will benefit from it.