Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I also appreciate the work he is doing with regard to various Garda operations and the funding assigned to them. I welcome the reopening of the Garda College in Templemore and the recruitment of more gardaí. The Minister has advised that 11 gardaí are assigned to Edgeworthstown Garda station and made it clear that the Garda Commissioner makes decisions on the deployment of gardaí for operational duties. It is vital that Deputies are given information on which they can rely and stand over in their constituencies. Unfortunately, I will be unable to stand over the information provided as I have been clearly advised that 11 gardaí are not assigned to Edgeworthstown Garda station.

The Minister has stated he cannot give figures for the numbers of gardaí on sick leave. I have been informed that one garda has transferred to Dublin, with a further three transferred to different areas. I ask the Minister to provide some clarity on this issue and would appreciate it if he reverted to the Garda Commissioner on the figures provided. It will be difficult for me to return to my constituency with figures that are being genuinely contested. From the information provided for me and visiting Edgeworthstown and speaking to residents of the town, they clearly believe they are under serious pressure in terms of resources. If Edgeworthstown Garda station requires a complement of 11 gardaí, it shows the considerable demand for Garda resources in the town and I expect this demand to be met. We fully accept that gardaí will sometimes be on sick leave and that other circumstances will obtain. I hope we will be able to get a clearer picture of the position in Edgeworthstown. For that reason, I would appreciate it if the Minister reverted to the Garda Commissioner to seek further information and present an update to us thereafter.

I compliment the Minister on the good work he is doing in reforming the Department of Justice and Equality and providing key resources to fight crime in rural areas where they are most needed.

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