Ms Noirín O'Sullivan:

It is a very welcome initiative. As the Deputy correctly stated, in all areas, particularly urban areas, all the cars and technology in the world will not beat human interaction. One needs this level of engagement at a human level, where gardaí can meet and speak to people. It benefits young and old people and everybody in between. Many older people in rural communities and some in urban communities are lonely and welcome engagement with local gardaí on the beat. Likewise, as the Deputy outlined, it helps when one has young people who can be diverted from crime at a very early age and a sense among people in a community that they know where problems are as they arise. In terms of the principles and level of engagement the small area policing project brings, we will certainly review that and look at rolling it out into both urban and rural communities. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution.