Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The prevention of crime and antisocial behaviour requires a wide range of social, economic and community actions including education, employment, training, income, social inclusion, community facilities and community policing. I will say a few words on community policing. Over the past few years, community policing has effectively been dismantled, particularly since the introduction of the new Garda districts. I recall a briefing by Commissioner Harris, and it was immediately clear to me that community policing was going to take a huge hit and was not a priority any more. I was of course assured otherwise, but the figures do not lie. Nationally, in 2010 we had 1,182 community gardaí. In 2024 there are 700, a reduction of almost 50%. In County Tipperary it is even worse. In 2010 we had 108. In 2023 we had eight. Community policing is invaluable in building up relationships with communities. Local communities know their local garda. They will have his or her contact details, and they build up trust with the communities and individuals within them. Crucially, their relationship and trust and friendship with young people is built up through community policing. The community gardaí have in the past become involved in all sorts of local community activities such as youth clubs, sports clubs and residents' associations. In other words, they are seen and are active in their areas, and are available in their areas. As a result, crime and antisocial behaviour are reduced, and importantly, young people who might tend to stray are identified at an early age and supported. Unfortunately, all of those areas have been lost and the few community gardaí left work above and beyond the call of duty and are stretched and stressed to the limit. There needs to be a new priority given to community policing, with gardaí working from the ground up. This obviously requires additional recruitment specifically for gardaí. Visibility of gardaí on the beat is also vitally important. Too many of our towns and city centres are given over to actions of antisocial behaviour, drug use and drug dealing. Many of these people are known locally to the gardaí, but little or nothing appears to be done, so gardaí on the beat are vital for the safety of the public.

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