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

The intention is that we will have 1,000 next year. Beyond that, we have to look at the capacity within Templemore, but if we were to have 1,000 with 400 civilian staff on a continuous basis that would bolster the overall number. I am clear that I do not think 15,000 is enough because the population is growing and we need more.

Specifically in relation to the programme the other night, Operation Citizen was launched in response to challenges in our city centre. I think other parts of the country have replicated that in various different districts and divisions. It means 20 gardaí on the beat every day patrolling the city centre and 24 gardaí in 12 different cars. We have police on horseback. We have additional hours at the weekend. We have specific areas that are being targeted. We have over 500 additional hours on top of the work that the gardaí are doing in general. There has been a concerted effort where issues have arisen to increase the number of gardaí to make sure that there are more gardaí on the ground and visible. I appreciate that there are still issues, which are not just about the gardaí. It is about the wider picture and the investment that is needed more generally, but the objective is more garda numbers. The funding is there and the commitment is there by me, by the Garda Commissioner and by everybody involved. It will just take time to see those numbers increasing.

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