I thank the Deputy for his question. The introduction of the new garda operating model, which has been rolled out in the Kilkenny-Carlow Garda division, will provide more front-line gardaí, increased Garda visibility and a wider range of policing services for people in Carlow and Kilkenny. It is important to emphasise this supports greater service delivery across the division through four functional areas, one of the most important being community engagement. This will allow for a greater, more consistent focus on community policing in all divisions. I am informed that as of 31 January 2025, the number of gardaí assigned to Kilkenny and Carlow is 313 members. There are also 52 garda staff assigned to the division, an increase of 92% since 2015. Garda staff working alongside gardaí, carry out vital roles to increase availability of gardaí for front-line duties. It is also important to state that a total of 98 vehicles are allocated to the Kilkenny-Carlow division, including 38 marked cars, 37 unmarked, 19 vans, two motorcycles, one 4x4 and one other SUV or minivan used for prisoner transportation. As the Deputy can see, considerable investment is being provided. I am aware from speaking to him the importance of having greater Garda visibility on the ground in Kilkenny and Carlow. The way we will achieve this is by getting recruitment up in An Garda Síochána. We must try to get more people to join An Garda Síochána. It is a great career and I am sure there are many people in Carlow and Kilkenny who would consider it as a career. We as TDs have an obligation to encourage people to consider a career in An Garda Síochána because unless we get the numbers, we will not be able to provide the level of community and general policing we wish to see.
Sentiment score: 0.36
I am interested in what the Deputy said about the reduction in numbers in Graiguenamanagh and other areas in Kilkenny. I will keep a close eye on this. When people are attested as members of An Garda Síochána, the Commissioner decides where they should be allocated. It is extremely important there is fair allocation throughout the country. It is not an operational matter for me and I cannot get involved in that but I hear what Deputy Cleere is saying loud and clear in respect of the need to get more new recruits into our rural areas. We could see an increase in recruitment to the force. On 10 March, 201 new recruits started in Templemore. This is the highest we have seen since 2019 and is an indication that numbers are increasing. The recruitment campaign run throughout February was very successful. We had 6,784 applicants and I hope to see good numbers coming through. However, I hear the Deputy loud and clear on getting more gardaí on the ground in Kilkenny and Carlow.
Sentiment score: 0.34
Garda properties are valuable resources. If we have them, we should use them for the benefit of the State or the benefit of the public in having a Garda presence there. I will raise that issue with my Department. The Deputy also made a very valid point about how the public want to see members of An Garda Síochána on the ground. We sometimes take that for granted. In many countries, communities do not want to see their police force on the ground. In Ireland, it is completely different. Every Deputy will say that when they are at a public meeting on policing, the one thing the public wants to see is more gardaí on the street. That is a reflection of the good relationship the Garda has with the public. It is something we must cherish and we must ensure we preserve it because if that relationship is lost, it will be very hard to get back. We are in the fortunate position that we have such a good relationship and I am committed to improving it, assisting the Garda and keeping that level of public support going.
Sentiment score: 0.28
It is important to remember we have civilianised much of the Garda force. At present, we have approximately 14,200 attested members of An Garda Síochána and approximately 3,500 civilian members who also work for the force. In recent years, as a result of civilianising or using civilians for tasks that were previously performed by the gardaí, we have managed to get approximately 900 gardaí back out on front-line duties. This is one mechanism but we need to be smart in terms of ensuring we can get more attested gardaí out on the streets. We do not want to see them in offices or courtrooms; we want to see them out on the ground. Regrettably, one of the consequences of having a very successful economy is it is hard to attract people into certain jobs. There is some change coming, however, in this regard. People are now becoming aware of the fulfilment they can get from a career within An Garda Síochána. As I mentioned in response to Deputy Cleere, the recruitment process that took place throughout February has been successful. A total of 6,700 people applied to An Garda Síochána, which is a good sign. As I said earlier, on 10 March, 201 new recruits started in Templemore. That is the highest number we have seen since 2019 and is an indication we are getting numbers back up to what they can be. Templemore can take 225 recruits through each module and we could have four or five of them. Many gardaí can be trained in Templemore each year. I will also consider other mechanisms, however, and I have asked for a report from the Department in respect of how we can train gardaí elsewhere. This is not in any way seeking to question or undermine the appropriateness of Templemore. That will always remain. However, we need to consider whether there are other mechanisms for training people within An Garda Síochána that do not require them to spend all that time in Templemore. They are issues I am considering. However, I am open to any innovative ideas Deputy Carthy has as to how we can get the numbers up because, as he knows, it is hard to recruit people. We need to get people into An Garda Síochána and I would encourage the Deputy, and in fairness I know he will do this, to try to encourage people to join because it is a fulfilling career.
Sentiment score: 0.19
I thank the Deputy. I am conscious of the intake capacity into Templemore. As I said, if we can get 225 in each time, they would be very good numbers. Recently, we have been getting up to 201 and we are doing very well. The Deputy mentioned the numbers of attestations for 2023 and 2024. The 2023 number was higher than 2024. That was because in 2023 there were five attestations as opposed to four in 2024. Sometimes there can be an alteration in figures because of the fact there were more attestations in a particular year. I have said that my objective is, and it is in the programme for Government, to secure the recruitment of 5,000 gardaí during the course of this Government, over five years. It is an ambitious task. I am seeking to achieve it. Part of the method by which I am doing it is through the recruitment campaign. The first recruitment campaign has been a success. The second way I am seeking to do it is to try to encourage people to join. The third way we are seeking to do it is that we have improved the training stipend for gardaí when they are in Templemore. We have increased that and we will consider increasing it further. Many steps are being taken. We also need to be honest. There are consequences to operating in an economy with full employment. People have lots of options. However, we have to get people into An Garda Síochána.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I thank the Deputy. I will deal with the last point first. A recruitment and training capacity group has been established to support the achievement of increased recruitment in An Garda Síochána. The group is due to report to me in mid-2025. It is looking at a range of issues, including how to ensure that there is the training capacity to meet the Government's ambitious recruitment targets for the next five years. One of the issues that I know it will look at is whether or not an alternative training college or institution would be of benefit in trying to get more gardaí in. That will, to a large extent, depend on the level of interest we get from members of the public seeking to join. In regard to the Deputy's comments about the population, of course, that is going to require there to be greater policing. As the population increases and as we create more criminal offences here in this House, there needs to be greater numbers of gardaí. However, we also need to look at innovative methods. We should not underestimate the role being played by civilians within the force. For too many years, gardaí were doing jobs that could be done by civilians, such as HR, management and accounting jobs. Those are now being done by civilians. The benefit of getting civilians in to do these tasks is that we get more members of An Garda Síochána out on the streets. As I said, because of increased civilianisation over the past number of years, we have seen up to 900 gardaí get out onto front-line duties. That is the approach. We need to look at innovative measures and to try to recruit more numbers. I still have a target of 15,000 attested members in the force and a target of trying to recruit 5,000 members during the course of the Government.
Sentiment score: 0.27
I thank Deputy Bennett. I welcome the fact that she has asked me a question related to domestic and gender-based violence. It is an extremely important issue. My predecessor did much excellent work in that area. It is an area that I am committed to working on as well. The Deputy will be aware that there have been a number of developments in Ireland in recent years in respect of combating domestic violence, for instance, a key priority for me and for Cuan is the development of domestic violence refuges throughout the country but in particular in the Cavan and Monaghan region. Cuan is working with the key stakeholders, including Safe Ireland, the Department of housing, Cavan and Monaghan County Councils and the Housing Agency to progress the development of an eight-unit refuge in the region which will also include community-facing ancillary support services. Cuan has worked with Safe Ireland to fund and resource a project manager post and a change manager post in addition to supporting the organisation to form the local partnership that is needed to drive the project. Last November we welcomed the start of a site selection process for this refuge. That process is ongoing. Developments will also include safe home accommodation as both I and Cuan are aware of the need for services to be accessible to those living in rural areas. It is important to point out that Cuan has been providing funding to Safe Ireland in Cavan and Monaghan. Last year funding of more than €230,000 was provided to Safe Ireland in Cavan and Monaghan, which operates a support service delivery, delivering advocacy, accompaniment, outreach support and information regarding options. In Monaghan, the Castleblayney area is supported by a number of Cuan's funded services, including the national 24-hour domestic violence helpline, which is operated by Women's Aid. In addition, emergency refuge accommodation services are available in the neighbouring town of Dundalk. Part 8 planning permission has been granted for the development of a new domestic violence shelter in Dundalk, comprising 16 units and six replacement units.
Sentiment score: 0.22
We should look at where we are. At present, we have approximately 159 refuge units. As I said, another 54 are set to be either under construction or are due for refurbishment in 2025. This will bring the total number of units, including those under construction, to 213 by the end of the year. In addition to the development of refuge spaces, Cuan and I are committed to delivering additional safe homes which provide appropriate accommodation in certain circumstances. Cuan is concluding a review of domestic violence accommodation delivery and development and is working closely with my Department and the Department of housing to look at what measures need to be accelerated in order to meet the target by the end of the strategy. We are seeking ways to streamline processes and speed up delivery of domestic violence accommodation. The target is 280. That is the ambition. I hope to be able to meet it. I am committed to trying to meet it. Obviously, we are doing as much as we can to ensure that we can get there.
Sentiment score: 0.05
My priority is to get a domestic violence refuge for the Cavan and Monaghan region as quickly as possible. The Deputy is looking for two. We need to get one in there, I would have thought, immediately and promptly. That is what I am working on. As stated, a lot of work is being done with key stakeholders in terms of progressing the development of an eight-unit refuge for the region that would include community-facing ancillary support services. I am committing to putting one refuge in the region. I note what Deputy Bennett said about the Istanbul Convention. I would be interested in discovering what is the level of compliance with the requirements of the Istanbul Convention in other countries. I would be surprised if they were all in compliance.
Sentiment score: 0.05
We are trying to do it. We have a target of getting up to 280. That is the target I am seeking to achieve. I understand the concerns of Deputies Bennett and Carthy regarding the fact that there is not a refuge centre in Cavan-Monaghan. The Minister of State, Deputy Niamh Smyth, has spoken to me about this. Deputy Brendan Smith has done so as well. This is something I want to expedite. I want to ensure that there is one there. Once we get one in the region, the Deputy can start advocating for others. However, I cannot give her a commitment at present that there will be one in each country. I need to get one into the region.
Sentiment score: 0.05
As the Deputy will be aware, the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, which was enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas last year, is yet to be commenced. I intend to commence it shortly. The new Act continues to honour Ireland’s commitments under the existing 2002 agreement between the Irish and British Governments on police co-operation. When the Act is commenced, section 94 will allow the Garda Commissioner, at the request of the Chief Constable of the PSNI, to appoint a member of the PSNI as a member of An Garda Síochána on secondment for a period of not more than three years. My Department is preparing regulations to facilitate, in line with the 2002 agreement, serving PSNI members who have served at or above the rank of inspector for a minimum period of two years to be eligible to enter competitions for appointment to the rank of superintendent in An Garda Síochána. These regulations will also provide that serving PSNI members who have served at the rank of superintendent or above for a minimum period of two years will be able to enter competitions for appointment to the rank of chief superintendent or assistant Garda commissioner in the Garda Síochána. The Deputy raised specifically section 50 of the Act. In order that other Members will be aware, section 50 provides for the continuation of certain powers of the Commissioner to appoint persons to ranks below superintendent as currently set out in section 14 of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act. Section 50 will ensure the Commissioner can continue to exercise these functions, while also ensuring the continuation of service of any person appointed under the current provisions. There is currently no provision for the direct transfer or promotion on a permanent basis of serving PSNI officers at the rank of sergeant or below into An Garda Síochána. This position will, in consultation with my United Kingdom and Northern Ireland counterparts, be kept under review. I thank the Deputy for the question.
Sentiment score: 0.29
The Deputy makes a valid point. We are at a stage where we are trying to recruit as many members into An Garda Síochána as we can. The Deputy has indicated that there are serving PSNI officers living in this jurisdiction who would like to become members of An Garda Síochána. At present, their difficulty is that in order to become a member of An Garda Síochána through the standard route, they would have to go to Templemore. That would involve them having to give up their jobs in the PSNI, which would be extremely difficult. I appreciate the significance and import of what the Deputy is saying. Section 50 states that the Garda Commissioner may appoint, in accordance with such matters as may be contained in regulations in relation to such appointments, persons to any rank below the rank of chief superintendent. I will consult with the senior management in An Garda Síochána. I would like to know if there are many members of the PSNI living in this jurisdiction who would like to transfer over. Obviously, there would have to be certain requirements in order for them to do so. I would have thought that if those requirements can be met, it would be a useful method of trying to increase numbers on the force. I will consult with the Commissioner and my Department in respect of the matter.
Sentiment score: 0.19
Another relevant point is that there is nothing stopping people in the North who are not in the PSNI from applying to become members of An Garda Síochána. I suspect the terms and conditions of An Garda Síochána are more favourable than those relating to people who join the PSNI. That is something we need to focus on. People from the North are welcome to apply to seek to join An Garda Síochána. I will go back to the Commissioner and I will also discuss the matter with officials in my Department. I would be interested to know, because it is not a statistic we have, how many PSNI officers are living in the South who would be interested in joining An Garda Síochána. The Deputy indicated that one he knows has been writing to various entities. I would have thought individuals should write to express an ambition or desire to join An Garda Síochána. I would think that would prompt a response from Garda management.
Sentiment score: 0.23
This is an important question. The issue to which it relates is sensitive in terms of how it can be dealt with. The guardianship of infants is set out through regulation and law under the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. A significant modernisation of the law in this area was brought about in 2015, with the enactment of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. This legislation extensively amended the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. The amended Act aligns with Article 42A of the Constitution, which requires that provision be made by law that the best interests of the child shall be the paramount consideration in the resolution of all proceedings concerning the guardianship or custody of, or access to, any child. Section 31 of the Act sets out a wide range of factors that the court is required to take into account when determining the best interests of the child in such proceedings. In cases where difficulties arise from the absence of agreement between parents or guardians, for example in relation to health or education issues, or passport issues as the Deputy mentioned, section 11 of the Act allows for an application to be made to the District Court for a direction on a question affecting the welfare of the child. More generally, my Department is leading a programme of family justice reform as set out in the first family justice strategy, which focuses on the needs and rights of children and providing the assistance parents need when making decisions that affect all of the family. The actions outlined in the strategy stress the centrality of children to many family justice matters and the need to ensure that their best interests are considered, in conjunction with their constitutional rights. This will be achieved through the implementation of over 50 actions across nine goals, with timelines for delivery up to the end of 2025. A number of these actions have already been completed and I would be pleased to provide further updates to the Deputy on this work as he requires. I am very conscious of what the Deputy has said about the difficulty that can arise in respect of where one parent is not involved and there is an obligation for permission from both parents. That can create significant difficulties, particularly when no involvement from the other parent is ongoing in the child’s life. This is a sensitive issue. I would be interested to hear what the Deputy has to say in respect of proposals. I will consider whatever he does have to say.
Sentiment score: 0.29
The Deputy identified a good point in the context of where a child just needs a medical or educational assessment. If it is the case that the consent or agreement of both guardians is required, that can be very problematic. I accept the validity of what the Deputy says. There is the option available under section 11 of the guardianship Act that allows for an application to be made to the District Court, but parents should not be put to that expense, inconvenience and the level of time commitment involved in order to get a direction in respect of the welfare of their child. I will have a look at the legislation. I would appreciate if the Deputy would do so too. If there is a minor amendment that is required, I would be happy to sit down and discuss it with him if he would like to introduce it by way of a Private Members' Bill. I would happy to talk to him in respect of that. Outside of changing the law, we are limited in what we can do in trying to get agreement or trying to ensure that the consent of both parents is not required. I suspect that does require legislative change. I would be interested in talking to the Deputy in respect of what that change could or should be.
Sentiment score: 0.43
If it is the case that the matter has to go to court and the consent cannot be obtained, for example, where the other parent has no involvement in the child’s life, I would have thought that a District Court judge would take that into account and recognise that there has to be some practical solution to the application that is being brought if the parent who is minding the child needs to get the authorisation of the other parent or guardian in order for some assessment to be carried out if that person is not available or is simply not interested in the child. I would think that most District Court judges would adopt a very sensible approach to that and recognise that the application being brought should be consented to. However, we should try to make life easier for people in difficult situations like that. The method for us to make life easier for them is to try to remove any legislative obstacle that exists in respect of it. I will look at the legislation and discuss it with the Deputy.
Sentiment score: 0.22
I thank the Deputy for raising the question on the numbers of gardaí in County Louth. I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the numbers deployed tackling drug crime specifically cannot be shared for operational reasons. I commend An Garda Síochána on its excellent work yesterday or the day before when it apprehended a very large seizure of cocaine that was illegally and unlawfully brought into the country. That is a continuation of very considerable success that the Garda has had in recent years. There are currently 14,167 Garda members across the country, an increase of around 10% since 2015. Of this number, there are 364 Garda members assigned to stations in County Louth. As I said, for operational reasons the Garda does not want me to identify how many are working in the area of drug crime. However, I commend An Garda Síochána on its recent success in Louth, where it seized drugs with an estimated value of €230,000 in Dunleer, and an estimated value of €1.9 million in an operation across Louth and Dublin. There is considerable work being done by An Garda Síochána in respect of apprehending criminals who are bringing drugs into the country. The work is ongoing in respect of what is happening in the Deputy's constituency of Louth. It is important that the Garda be resourced in respect of its constant campaign against drug trafficking. It has had considerable successes recently. Some of the larger cases going on in the Central Criminal Court relate to large amounts of drugs that have been seized by An Garda Síochána and that were being unlawfully imported into the country.
Sentiment score: 0.21