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

I wish to ask the Minister about gardaí for Carlow. I have highlighted this issue on numerous occasions. Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford are now linked. I recently met local gardaí whom I compliment on the job they do. However, from speaking to the gardaí in Carlow, I believe we need many more community gardaí. That is probably true across the country. For people to feel safe in their own communities, it is nice to have the presence of gardaí. I understand how hard they work and that is not in question. This issue needs to be addressed.

I was in Carlow Garda station two or three weeks ago. There is a prefab at the back of the station. There are gardaí working in a prefab in 2023. They are doing typing and work like that. It is unacceptable. I have raised this issue on several occasions. While we are appreciative of the work of the Garda, we need to resource the force right and get as many community gardaí as we can.

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