Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. Being from County Limerick, I am sure he will agree with me it is a place of strong communities and hard-working families with a proud heritage, but too many people, whether in towns or rural areas, do not feel safe. Our gardaí are stretched beyond capacity. The reduction in Garda numbers, station closures and the lack of visible community policing are failing the people of County Limerick. Nor is this only about policing. Tackling crime means addressing its root causes, namely, poverty, lack of opportunity and addiction. We need stronger youth diversion programmes. I was delighted to get an invitation from the Minister of State's office to the launch in Rathkeale of a new diversion programme. We need investment in our communities. Without these measures we are just putting plasters on deep wounds. I call on the Government to increase Garda recruitment and retention. We need a properly resourced Garda force with the numbers and support to do its job effectively. The Government must restore community policing. A visible Garda presence is one of the strongest crime deterrents. It should address drug-related crime head on. That not only means policing but also proper funding for addiction and rehabilitation services. We must break the cycle of addiction and crime. There must be investment in community supports. Safer communities are built on opportunities. We need more youth services, mental health services and opportunities to ensure young people in Limerick county have a future beyond crime or antisocial behaviour. Tackling rural crime needs real solutions. Farm thefts, break-ins and attacks on elderly residents in rural areas are causing fear across County Limerick. A stronger Garda presence with better rural CCTV schemes and tougher action against repeat offenders are essential.

I will make a few interesting points, of which I am sure the Minister of State will be aware but I will say them for the benefit of everyone else. County Limerick has a population of 107,000 and a landmass of 2,735 sq. km and 22 Garda stations, two of which are 24-hour. The other 20 Garda stations are open for an average of 16 hours a week. If there are two gardaí in those stations and they are called out to an accident on the N21 or the N69, for example, that Garda station is closed. There are no gardaí. Public safety is not just a political issue. It is a fundamental right. The people of County Limerick and more widely should not have to live in fear. They deserve leadership that listens, acts and delivers.