Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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103. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the actions he is taking to support Gardaí in tackling persistent antisocial behaviour in town centres in Offaly, including Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68162/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to tackling the scourge of anti-social behaviour and crime to build safer, stronger communities. I am conscious of the damaging impact on the quality-of-life which crime and anti social behaviour can have in our communities and a visible Garda presence is important to help people feel safe.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda stations in Tullamore, Birr and Edenderry are open 24/7. Community Policing teams are also attending meetings and engaging with various community groups to hear their concerns and provide crime prevention advice.

I engage regularly with the Commissioner to ensure that he has the resources that he needs to fight crime. This is reflected in the record allocation of €2.59 billion in the Garda Vote for 2026 which will support the continued recruitment of Gardaí and Garda staff. The Garda budget will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and a doubling of the Garda Reserve to over 600 next year.

Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is gathering momentum and we now have a steady pipeline of new recruits entering the Garda College. 21 Probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the Laois/Offaly Garda Division over the last two years.

794 new recruits entered the Garda College this year and we can look forward to seeing those probationer Gardaí assigned throughout the country in 2026 as they attest from Templemore. It must also be noted that the allocation of newly attested Gardaí allows for currently serving Gardaí to transfer to other Divisions across the country and into specialist units.

Along with extra Gardaí and an enhanced, visible Garda presence, some of the other measures the Government are taking, include:

• The introduction of Local Community Safety Partnerships around the country, including in Offaly, to develop tailored Community Safety Plans for every area;
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures;
• New laws which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• The deployment of body-worn cameras, with nationwide roll-out to follow the current pilot project;
• Proposing solutions to public order and anti-social behaviour through the Local Leadership Programme which brings together local stakeholders in a structured manner;
• Over €4 million allocated to 42 projects through the Community Safety Fund, which re-invests the proceeds of crime into local safety projects.