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

The Deputy makes a valid point. In the past year, several close friends of mine have moved out of cities back home to rural areas. I refer to the work the Garda Commissioner is doing in considering resources, where they are needed and how there has been a change in the numbers in communities. That is reflected in how Garda numbers are deployed and redeployed. I have no doubt that when the 800 new recruits are deployed across the country, those changes in populations and demographics will be taken into account, as will issues that arise in certain areas. There has been a very quick response to such issues. When particular types of crime or trends increase in certain areas, there is an immediate response. The more gardaí the Garda Commissioner has at his disposal, the easier it is for him to do that. It also comes down to the resources we provide to the Garda in rural areas in particular. It is about making sure we have the gardaí we need and that they have the equipment and technology they require to do their job as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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