Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer Deputy Murphy O'Mahony to the table showing the figure for the Cork west division as of 31 May 2017, which totals 284 gardaí. In her own district, there are 34 in Bantry and five in Castletownbere, as well as gardaí in Drimoleague, Durrus, Glengariff, Kealkill and Schull. In the Clonakilty division there are a total of 60 gardaí.

The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country, including in west Cork, in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to the constituents of Deputy Murphy O'Mahony, and deter crime. To make this a reality, the Government has in place a detailed plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide-ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. I am keen that the organisation continues to rebuild and that the Government continues to provide the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of gardaí across every Garda division, including west Cork.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Cork west division 31 May 2017

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