Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 31:

In page 17, before section 19, but in Chapter 2 of the Bill, to insert the following new section:

"19—The Minister shall, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government shall devise a plan under which members of the Garda Síochána would be encouraged to live in RAPID areas and other deprived parts of the country.".

I will not bore the pants off Members by airing all the issues discussed earlier. I propose that the Ministers for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should provide housing assistance to young Garda recruits after they leave Templemore. It has long been accepted that it is increasingly difficult for young members of the force to afford their own homes. The advantage of such a scheme is that, similar to the practice years ago, housing would be available for young recruits. Imaginative thinking is needed on this issue. The Minister should consider, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, a housing scheme.

A weighting applies to public servants in London. They are given an income boost so that they can purchase houses in certain locations. We must examine a similar scheme to provide incentives for officers to live in communities. The advantages of having officers living in all areas of the community leads to greater protection and ensures the community and the force are rooted together. Some scheme should be considered.