Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the 2016 programme for Government it was committed to reopen a rural Garda station in Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Nearly seven years on, this has not been done. A commitment was given to reopen it. It is a small rural Garda station to be manned by one or two gardaí. It is really needed. I am looking for a timescale. I am worn out going to the OPW and to the Department on this.

Reference was made to Garda recruitment. I want to ask about the recruitment of gardaí for Carlow. I met with the personnel from the Carlow Garda recently. I am very concerned about the way things are being centralised. Carlow seems to be the poor relation again of Kilkenny and Waterford. In December 2022, Carlow had 108 gardaí, which is not enough. We need more gardaí. When I went the Garda station, I was very surprised to see at the back of the station a prefab that is not fit for purpose but is being used as offices. I am very concerned about that. It needs to be sorted. There is no lift in Carlow Garda station. If a person is a wheelchair user or has a disability, there is no lift and he or she would not be able to use the station.

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