Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister. As already outlined, the initiative has been enormously successful. While I commend the Minister's ambition in expanding community policing across the country it is important to note there is still a real need for more community gardaí in our rural towns and villages who are as visible and contactable as possible, as far as the people they serve are concerned. Of the most recent graduate class from Templemore, only one has been stationed in Carlow, with zero new graduates coming to Kilkenny. That said, I accept there is another class graduating from Templemore next week and Garda numbers are being built up across the country and it is important to acknowledge that. It is really important links to An Garda Síochána such as the See Something, Say Something initiative provide a means of ensuring the Garda and local communities feel connected. Many people in Carlow and Kilkenny will recall a time where practically every village had a local garda. We know that time has passed, but using a service such as this we can re-establish the presence of An Garda Síochána in the day-to-day rhythms of rural life in Ireland. Even if people never use this service, knowing it is there provides significant comfort, security agus síocháin to our citizens. What steps will the Minister be able to take to ensure See Something, Say Something is rolled out as soon as possible to constituents in Carlow and Kilkenny?

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