Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to speak on public order and safe streets. That community fund from the Criminal Assets Bureau is very important and crucial. That is going to deliver different types of activities, including sports activities. It will be used to engage people in many different areas, particularly the rural areas I am looking at. I am on the joint policing committee in Roscommon, so I get updates about the activities there. I understand the importance of the community liaison. Older people, those over 70, who are living on their own are the sort of people we are dealing with in our rural areas.

On the divisional breakdown, my hometown of Ballinasloe is now linked with Tuam. We need more squad cars in Ballinasloe. We also need training for gardaí on blue lights. I do not know if the Minister of State has a response but how many gardaí get trained on blue lights? There are so many courses they need to do after they graduate. Extending the powers governing gardaí and the use of CCTV and bodycams is crucial.

The Minister, Deputy McEntee, has published the general scheme of the policing, security and community safety Bill. It is very important this links in with other groups such as the HSE and not solely An Garda Síochána.

Supports for addiction services are important. Addiction services for alcohol and drugs in rural areas should be linking in with An Garda Síochána, especially when we have great problems in the town of Ballinasloe, where firebombing is taking place. These are crucial supports that are required.