Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is a very challenging time, particularly in Dublin, when it comes to policing and justice. We hear stories every week about assaults and violence on our streets, and people simply do not feel safe. The fact is that we do not have enough gardaí. Back in 2009, in my local Garda station in Coolock, for example, there were 123 gardaí. Today, the number is slightly lower. Between 2009 and now, the population covered has increased dramatically. The Belmayne and Clongriffin population alone is now estimated to be 30,000 and is expected to hit 50,000.

Back in 2019, when the constituency of Dublin Bay North was facing very serious issues with criminality, the then Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan, arrived at Coolock with hand-picked Government representatives and told the media he was to build a new Garda station for the region and, indeed, regional headquarters in Northern Cross. Six years later, we still have no Garda station. I ask the Minister of State to get us an update on this.

One of the main issues raised in my constituency office is Garda response times. People are often apologised to because there is only one Garda patrol car out in their area at the time in question. That is simply not good enough. Our gardaí need to be resourced with the equipment they need to do their job properly.

One thing I know from my years as a community activist is that community policing works. We see this all the time. A community response works. When communities and local organisations have built up relationships of trust with the gardaí, they feel more confident discussing other problems in the area, be it antisocial behaviour, vandalism or more serious crime. We all see that early intervention can make a genuine difference in a young person’s life.

May I just ask the Minister of State-----

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