Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy rightly said, where gardaí are deployed to or how they might be redeployed is a matter for the Commissioner but also for gardaí locally within the divisions and districts. From my own experience, while a member of An Garda Síochána starting out is sent further from home, as time goes on and as families evolve, where there are requests there is generally an appetite and a response to try to accommodate as many people as possible. Even in recent times through Covid-19 and in response to requests to have a more family-friendly model, there has been a change to the structures and rosters specifically responding to some of those issues and concerns. It has been received very well by many of the members of An Garda Síochána. It allows greater time at home and greater flexibility. All of these things need to be continually kept under review and responded to. I am very happy to take the Deputy's comments back to the Garda Commissioner.

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