Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of Garda numbers in Galway city and county. Limerick, Waterford, Cork and Dublin have one Garda member per 300 people. In Galway, it is in excess of one per 430 people. As has been well documented, there have been a lot of burglaries, rural break-ins and break-ins in the city.

I also raise the lack of crime prevention officers throughout the country. In my region of Connacht, there is a significant lack of crime prevention officers. We need to get out into the communities, get the crime prevention officers out, hold public meetings and inform the community of how best to protect their homes. As has been raised in this House on numerous occasions, people's homes are sacrosanct. The homes of elderly people have been broken into in Galway city and county. The effect that has on them is frightening. I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, to come before the House and explain why certain parts of the country seem to be at a disadvantage. I have full confidence in the Garda to do a terrific job but I am concerned about the crime prevention officers and Garda numbers in west Galway.