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

The way we will achieve this is through the roll-out of the new operating model. This new model has been proposed through the Commission on the Future of Policing and the subsequent implementation plan, which will result in the reduction of the number of districts. Most important, it will entail a merging of Garda members working in the back office, in the various finance and HR functions, allowing for more front-line gardaí. There are four key areas of finance, HR, crime and community engagement. Merging finance across two districts will allow for more gardaí to be out on the beat on the ground. In my county, Meath and Westmeath are merging, so finance will be based in one area. Every area will see that benefit and increase, with a focus on crime and on community engagement. Covid-19 has stopped progress being made as quickly as we would like but that background merging has still been happening. Cork is the only county that has introduced all four new models. It is happening bit by bit. Having spoken to the Garda Commissioner two weeks ago, the overall intention is that by the end of 2024, all new divisions will have all four operating models in place, which will mean more gardaí on the ground, on the beat, doing front-line duties.

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