Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the programme for Government, there is a clear commitment to building a visible and familiar policing presence. In Cavan-Monaghan, we have a rural crime crisis with homes being broken into in broad daylight. Business and particularly farmyards and the elderly in our communities are being affected. Community employment schemes, which are doing good in our communities, have had all their equipment stolen. My local district had 12 sergeants in 2007 and 2008. We are down to six. In 2010, our division had 413 gardaí and that number is now down to 330. Ballyconnell Garda station is a case in point, where we are left with reduced services and reduced hours. I ask the Minister to commit to building that visibility and presence in our constituency.

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