Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I very much agree with the Deputy that local policing measures to address the issues to which he refers will undoubtedly benefit from the increased level of resources now coming on stream through the Garda recruitment programme. The Government has committed to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000 to provide the Commissioner with the capacity to address the needs of communities throughout the country. This, of course, includes the greater Dublin metropolitan area. Specific responses have been put in place by the Garda to tackle antisocial behaviour in the area to which the Deputy refers and I understand that, as a result, this past Hallowe'en was one of the quietest in recent years.

The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána signalled its commitment to increasing the overall strength of the roads policing unit by 10% prior to the end of this year, and the acting Garda Commissioner recently announced that a further 10% increase is planned during the course of 2018. It is proposed to continue to increase the overall strength of the roads policing unit each subsequent year until full operational strength is restored. Along with the greater number of recruits, I should also mention the increased funding for the Garda fleet of marked and unmarked cars, many of which are evident in the Deputy's area.

The joint policing committees are working well. I am always anxious to hear from local stakeholders and from the meetings on how best we can maximise the work of local stakeholders and public representatives working with An Garda Síochána in communities. Road safety is a shared responsibility for all road users, not just An Garda Síochána, the RSA and other State bodies. I urge anybody affected by, or with information about, these types of anti-social behaviour to contact his or her local Garda station. The Garda confidential telephone line is 1800-666-111. It is a monitored free telephone line that allows members of the public to contact the Garda with information of a confidential nature. People can also contact Crimestoppers at 1800-25-00-25.

With regard to Garda resources, we are on target to have 13,500 gardaí by the end of this year and a total of 21,000 by 2021. I am keen to accelerate the process of civilianisation in order that gardaí can go out on the streets to do the work they are trained to do. There was also a reference to CCTV. There is grant aid available to local community groups. I will be happy to speak to the Deputy on these issues.

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