James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Community safety is a core priority of the Department of Justice and for the Government in terms of the different programmes it is bringing forward. The deployment of gardaí throughout the country is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. Once gardaí are deployed to the various divisions, it is a matter for the chief superintendents whether they are deployed as community gardaí, in high visibility situations or in other settings within An Garda Síochána as needed. I agree that with the additional recruitment of 800 gardaí next year, the recruitment that is ongoing this year and the increase in civilian staff within An Garda Síochána we will be able to release gardaí for operational matters and, thus, an increase in the level of visibility. Visibility is important. We have already seen an increase in visibility but within our communities and public areas we need to see a further increase in visibility. The new Garda operating model, which will be focused on the community aspect of An Garda Síochána, will be important as well in getting that visibility.

It is also important for us all to work together to create a situation where antisocial behaviour is not just a matter for An Garda Síochána. While gardaí can present, knock heads and move people on, where antisocial behaviour is occurring it requires engagement with the local authorities, the HSE, Tusla and many other bodies to ensure that, at an early age, people are being diverted from this activity into more positive behaviour and, also, that they confront the consequences of their actions, as is currently happening through the Department of Justice in terms of restorative justice and people being made to face that what they are doing is not consequence free or a bit of fun but it has serious impacts on people's quality of life.