Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

Roscrea needs more gardaí. Last August, I was delighted to welcome five new gardaí to north Tipperary. They were going to Nenagh and Thurles, which is very positive and welcome. Unfortunately, however, Roscrea was left out. Roscrea Garda station essentially does not open any more, whether it is for policing or for someone to get a form signed for a passport. This is difficult for the town. A number of years ago, Roscrea had three sergeants, 18 to 20 front-line gardaí, two civilian staff and a detective. Today, the town has three sergeants, seven front-line gardaí and one garda on loan from Nenagh to fill basic staffing requirements. I am told that overtime and the loan of a garda from Nenagh are essentially just keeping gardaí out on the streets in cars in Roscrea. I have contacted the Minister and An Garda Síochána about this and Garda numbers in Roscrea. It is a town that desperately needs resources and representation. I ask for the Taoiseach's intervention to get more gardaí for Roscrea.

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