Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Central Statistics Office, CSO, crime statistics tell us that robbery is up 18% in the first quarter of this year compared with the first quarter of last year. In my constituency, across Roscommon and Galway we have had numerous burglaries in recent weeks and months. The idea of older people who live on their own being afraid in their own homes is a very sad indictment of where we are today. I commend the community policing units across my constituency which do really great work, particularly in engaging with our older people. I ask the Taoiseach to prioritise Garda numbers, particularly in rural areas where Garda stations have been closed or do not operate on a 24-7 basis. As the Taoiseach will know from his county, rural areas need more community gardaí. We need them to be engaging with our older people, in particular as we have seen so many burglaries in recent months.

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