Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

We had a good debate on this amendment yesterday afternoon when some of the difficulties attached to prescribing that gardaí should live in RAPID areas were highlighted. I am sure Senator Cummins will agree that Senator Leyden made a good point regarding past practice in relation to the construction of houses for gardaí through the National Building Agency. I am aware of group housing schemes in which three or four houses were made available to gardaí. I am sure those houses were constructed in as cost effective a manner as possible.

Also, general desire was expressed during yesterday's discussion to have gardaí living in the communities in which they serve. Such a move would be a positive dynamic for policing and could result in gardaí obtaining the acceptance, support and co-operation necessary for effective policing in communities. One cannot be prescriptive about where people must live. Perhaps we could return to the scheme whereby houses were specifically constructed for the force. I agree with Senator Cummins that the local authorities could have a role to play in that regard.

Members will be aware that there is still good value, comparatively speaking, to be achieved in local authority constructed houses. While some local authorities are constructing three and four bedroom houses at a cost of approximately €110,000 or €120,000, similar properties in the same locality are being sold by developers for €170,000 or €180,000. We could make such a scheme attractive to gardaí with families. I am not sure that houses should be made available to single gardaí. Adopting a positive approach to the provision of houses for gardaí with families might be the way to achieve what the Senator is arguing for.