Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the importance of the information and assistance campaign undertaken through the national airwaves and at local level during the pandemic. I assure Deputy Farrell that funding will continue to be made available to ensure that information campaigns are evident and are heard.

The other issue raised by Deputy Farrell, echoing the earlier contributions of many Deputies, including Deputy Kenny, is the ongoing roll-out of the divisional protective service units and the training within those units. Training has been somewhat adversely affected by the closure of the Garda Training College during the pandemic, though I understand arrangements have been made to ensure training will be at an operational level at the very earliest opportunity. I assure Deputies that the roll-out of the divisional protective service units will continue. Sixteen divisional protective service units have been set up already in 15 divisions throughout the country. However, the Sligo-Leitrim division, as mentioned by Deputy Kenny, and my own local division are in the course of being provided for. Even though the formal divisional protective services units have not been formally established in these areas, a degree of training and activity is being undertaken. That will continue as part of the commitments in A Policing Service for the Future, the particulars of which we debated earlier this morning.

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