Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but I am very much aware of an increase in the Garda fleet not only in County Offaly, but nationally. That will continue, along with an increase in Garda numbers. We are firmly on target to have a Garda service with 21,000 members by 2021. I mentioned earlier that the Garda College in Templemore is open. We expect to have 800 new recruits next year, along with 200 new gardaí before the end of this year, added to the 188 who have recently been attested. This will ensure that the statistics continue to show a decrease in crime. That said, I do not wish in any way to take from the very serious and unacceptable incident that took place in County Offaly last week. There is a determination on the part of local gardaí, with whom I have spoken, to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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