Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a crucially important area. When it is properly supported, the difference it makes is profound. I have seen in the community where I live the difference it makes when there is a good community garda and a good youth diversion project, and what it achieves in respect of the trust and relationship between the young people in an area, a community garda and a youth diversion project.

Unfortunately, the pressure Garda numbers are under means this will be significantly undermined. We have a situation that was reported recently where two stations, Carrigaline and Douglas, that previously had independent Garda units will have to merge those units. These are two areas with more than 30,000 people where the Garda will have to merge these units because of the personnel shortage that exists. That is replicated in Ballincollig and Bishopstown. In the Cork city division, Garda units are being merged, as they are under such pressure because there have been so many retirements. Those gardaí are not being replaced and Cork is not getting a fair share of the gardaí coming out of Templemore. I appreciate this is a national problem but Cork is not getting anywhere near enough in the context of the population there.

What happens in these situations where there is a shortage of Garda numbers? Community gardaí will inevitably be pulled into front-line policing and core unit work, which is crucially important. However, if community policing is being sacrificed, that preventative work, the relationship and trust built up with young people, and that proactive work in preventing crime suffers significantly. I am very concerned by the implications the lack of Garda resources will have.

From talking to youth diversion project workers, they are prevented from working with young people over the age of 18. This is not the case when referring, and young people obviously need to face full criminal responsibility for any actions, but the point is there should be further scope to work with people who have been through the projects and reached the age of 18, who are trying to get jobs or enter further education and training, to support them in getting employment and so on.

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