WATCH: Calling for a timeline for new Gardaí and the need for Community focus

Full transcript:

Deputy Costello – Promises were made in the budget of 1,000 extra gardaí. We need a clear timeline of when these will be delivered, partly so that communities know when they will get the resources they need but also to ensure that they are actually delivered. At one end of my constituency, in Dublin 8, four community Garda sergeants and 25 Garda officers has become one sergeant and four Garda officers. At the other end, in Cherry Orchard, members of the Garda have made very clear what they need to keep that community safe, which is something we have all been talking about. What is the timeline for these gardaí to be delivered?

Taoiseach – Deputy Costello raised Garda numbers. There are 14,300 members of An Garda Síochána and there will be a further 1,000. The next cohort of trainees is being taken in this month, and they will be followed by another 200 every 11 weeks.