James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I raised the issue of under-resourcing in the context of sergeants and inspectors in County Wexford in order to convince the Government of the need to provide additional resources. I commend sergeants, inspectors and superintendents who are doing their duty across the country, including those officers in County Wexford who are working with insufficient resources.

Garda representative organisations have consistently pointed out that a lack of resources is hampering their ability to tackle criminal gangs that are targeting rural areas. Fianna Fáil secured a commitment in the confidence and supply agreement to bring Garda numbers up to at least 15,000. Wexford Garda stations need more sergeants and inspectors to help bolster their positive policing abilities. The problem is particularly acute in north Wexford, where Gorey district was downgraded during the term of office of the previous Government. It lost its superintendent and now has only one covering Enniscorthy and Gorey. An extra 50,000 people visit Gorey during the summer period. This means that Garda resources are being spread thinly across the area and that is having a serious impact.

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