James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy may wish to note that as of 31 October 2020, there were 384 gardaí assigned to the Laois-Offaly division. This represents an increase of 38% since 2015, when there were 278 gardaí assigned to the division. On the same date, there were 38 Garda staff civilians assigned to the division, an increase of almost 73% since 2015, when 22 staff members were assigned to the division. The increase in Garda staff is allowing members of the Garda to return to front-line duties. The Deputy is correct that there were seven community gardaí in the Laois-Offaly at the end of October when her parliamentary question was replied to, but I am pleased to inform her that, since then, the number has doubled to 14. This represents a significant increase on the 2015 figure, which stood at four community gardaí. There has since been a significant increase, which I hope will alleviate the Deputy's concerns regarding community policing.

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