Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which his Department's Statement of Strategy 2025–2028 will deliver on community safety, particularly in relation to Garda recruitment, retention, and visibility in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68391/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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A visible Garda presence is important to deter and detect crime and to help people feel safe in communities. The unprecedented allocation of over €2.59 billion in Budget 2026 demonstrates our commitment to ensuring An Garda Síochána has provision for the equipment, technology, facilities, fleet and personnel it needs to carry out vital policing work.

The greatest demand from the public to me as Minister, is for more Gardaí on our streets, in our villages and in our towns. The people want to see more Gardaí throughout their communities, which is a testament to the community policing ethos of the service.

I am conscious of the damaging impact on the quality-of-life which crime can have in our communities. The Government is committed to tackling crime and to building safer streets and stronger communities through a number of ongoing measures, including:

• The introduction of Local Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop tailored Community Safety Plans for every area;
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures;
• The deployment of body-worn cameras for Gardaí in Dublin City Centre, Waterford, and Limerick with nationwide roll-out to follow;
• New laws which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Providing the funding necessary to enhance the equipment available to An Garda Síochána.