Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am interested in what the Deputy said about the reduction in numbers in Graiguenamanagh and other areas in Kilkenny. I will keep a close eye on this. When people are attested as members of An Garda Síochána, the Commissioner decides where they should be allocated. It is extremely important there is fair allocation throughout the country. It is not an operational matter for me and I cannot get involved in that but I hear what Deputy Cleere is saying loud and clear in respect of the need to get more new recruits into our rural areas.

We could see an increase in recruitment to the force. On 10 March, 201 new recruits started in Templemore. This is the highest we have seen since 2019 and is an indication that numbers are increasing. The recruitment campaign run throughout February was very successful. We had 6,784 applicants and I hope to see good numbers coming through. However, I hear the Deputy loud and clear on getting more gardaí on the ground in Kilkenny and Carlow.

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