Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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With regard to overtime and where it originates, as anyone coming into a job does, the Commissioner inherited a situation he might not have designed himself. A few years ago, I compiled information because I wanted to get an overview of the spread of the force because I felt my area was not doing particularly well. The replies to many parliamentary questions showed that areas that had grown in population are at the low end of the ratio of police to population, with Meath being the worst since the previous census of population and Kildare is next. The areas we tend to see are Wexford, Laois, Offaly and areas with substantial population growth over a period of time where the resources do not keep pace. Is there any evidence the overtime budget in these areas is higher than it is in areas with a better ratio of gardaí to population?