Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Since the onset of the Covid pandemic in March 2020, we have all become more conscious of the value of community policing. We saw in our own communities a greater presence of gardaí. That was particularly reassuring for people living on their own or older people. In my home town in Cavan, community gardaí were recently appointed and that has been warmly welcomed by the local community. I see they are out meeting people and getting to know them. Likewise, the local community know the local members of An Garda Síochána better than ever. There should be a greater emphasis going forward to bring back the community policing concept and have gardaí stationed locally.

One of the many downsides of the pandemic has been the increasing incidence of domestic abuse. Sadly, there has been a significant growth in incidences, which is regrettable. Tusla, along with the Departments of Justice and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, has carried out a review on the availability of services for victims of abuse and also the availability of refuge places. Unfortunately, there is no refuge centre in either Cavan or Monaghan. If a person needs assistance, he or she must go to a neighbouring county to get accommodation and that is not acceptable. I would like if there could be increased emphasis at Cabinet committee level on ensuring there is easy and appropriate access to a refuge centre for victims of domestic abuse. We all know that women mainly, unfortunately, are victims of domestic abuse. They are very vulnerable and if they have to travel to a neighbouring county there is no chance of their children being able to go to their local school or preschool. It is very important that we have a proper spread of domestic refuge centres throughout the country and that no areas are left without a service within reasonable access.

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