Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again on behalf of the Minister for raising this matter.

The Minister's first priority is to get more Garda members on our streets, including through increased recruitment. As we see more people join the organisation, we will see more gardaí on the streets of our towns and villages throughout the country and of course in County Cork and in Cork city and all the surrounding towns. In 2024, 36 probation gardaí were allocated to Cork. The Minister was delighted to bear witness to 149 new recruits passing out at Templemore on 7 March last, seven of whom were assigned to Cork. The Deputy might say that is not enough. Again, I will remind him that the Government is steadfast in its support of An Garda Síochána. The financial input that has been put into the workings of An Garda Síochána shows that commitment. I thank the Deputy again for raising this matter and for being so strong and vocal on behalf of his constituents.

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