I am sure the Tánaiste is aware that many people are nervous to walk the streets of our towns and cities at night, and even during the day. Violent crime is a huge concern and the Government needs to show greater support to the Garda in tackling it. In recent weeks we have seen a number of high profile violent assaults. Such crimes appear to be occurring more frequently, in broad daylight as well as at night. An epidemic of knife attacks appears to exist in many parts of Dublin and many areas are becoming no-go areas. We woke up this morning to hear that a post mistress in Bayside was involved in a tiger kidnapping and of the shooting dead of a person at a school in Balbriggan. People are worried and afraid to walk our streets. It appears the lack of Garda presence is feeding that frenzy.

The issue is not confined to Dublin. There was a massive meeting in Roscrea during the summer, where counterparts from Dublin and many small towns and villages expressed their fears and anxieties about the Government's policy for the availability of gardaí on our streets. A crisis is developing in Dublin whereby locals and tourists alike fear for their safety on our main streets. O'Connell Street, Grafton Street and other well known streets in Dublin and other towns unfortunately appear to be threatening nowadays. There is drug dealing at Luas stations. Dublin is fast getting a reputation for being a crime ridden city.

The lack of gardaí on the beat is cause for grave concern. The number of gardaí on our streets continues to decline. People need an assurance from Government in regard to how it will assist the Garda to confront crime ridden cities and towns throughout Ireland.

In regard to the attack on Jonny Cooper at the weekend, to which I presume the Deputy was referring, I offer Mr. Cooper and his family the sincere sympathies of the House. It seems to have been a particularly horrific attack.

I was surprised, when the Deputy referenced Dublin city, that he was not aware of the complete overhaul taking place on both sides of the city centre over a protracted period to get gardaí back on the beat in the city centre and residential areas between the canals. This initiative has been hugely successful. If the Deputy takes the trouble to speak to the gardaí who visit communities, streets and individual houses, he will find that both gardaí and local people have praised the initiative. I understand the results are being constantly evaluated so that lessons may be learned from what has happened. I do not know if the Deputy has heard of the initiative but it has certainly resulted in a significant activation of gardaí, particularly at street level, on the basis he appears to wish to seek. I would expect him to congratulate the Garda management on this initiative. Yesterday morning I spoke with a number of gardaí at a function in the docklands about their experience of the initiative. They spoke about how well it is proceeding in terms of co-operation with local communities of the kind that the Deputy describes as desirable.

The CSO crime statistics that were recently released do not reveal any dramatic changes. However, any crime that happens to an individual is traumatic. Anybody who is subject to a burglary or any other type of crime finds it a traumatic experience. The Deputy will be aware that the process for recruiting new gardaí and reopening Templemore has commenced. The issue of Garda numbers has been addressed by this Government. I am, therefore, slightly at a loss to understand the Deputy's description of the matter in light of the current figures. Any crime is of huge significance to the individuals, families, streets and communities concerned but the CSO crime statistics do not indicate major change. He appears to be completely unaware of the initiatives that Garda management has taken to put gardaí on the street and to connect to individuals and local communities.

They are not delivering. If the Tánaiste went to the northside she would see that.

This is Deputy Cowen's question.

Mr. Cooper, to whom we all send our best wishes, is one of many unfortunate victims in recent times. He may be more high profile than others but he is one of many. I speak with gardaí, and I empathise with them and congratulate them for the efforts they are making.

Good.

I also speak to members of the public, as should the Tánaiste. If one speaks to people in the large estates in Dublin and throughout the country, one of the main points they make is that they do not see enough gardaí on the beat or available to help them and to protect our streets. We need a greater presence. I accept what the Tánaiste said in regard to Templemore but what assurance can she give the House and, more particularly, those whom we represent that in three weeks' time, when the Government has to make decisions on how it will build the recovery, it will have cognisance for the fears and anxieties that exist in Dublin and other cities over the lack of available gardaí? Can she assure us that funding will be made available to increase the number of gardaí on the beat and on our streets to reassure people with their presence? That is what we need to hear. She can speak about statistics for as long as she likes - every day if she so wishes - but the people we represent want her to make a commitment to make funding available to increase the number of gardaí on the street and to assure people they can reside in a safer place.

The Deputy suggested that he has some experience of speaking to gardaí but his comments did not reflect the efforts the Garda is making-----

That is not true.

Sorry, but the Deputy is in denial-----

How dare you. It is not true.

The only gardaí dishonoured are those being attacked, and the Government is asleep.

As I speak, an initiative that the Garda has taken to revitalise community policing, using a model developed in the city centre and which has been in operation for a considerable period, is bearing significant fruit. It is popular with members of the public and there is appreciation in the community. The heart of the policing relationship is with the community at a local level, and I agree with the Deputy in that regard. Community policing is vital and what the Garda management is doing shows us the way to increase contact with the community, as well as collaboration and co-operation, which is essential.

With regard to robberies in the Dublin area and other large towns and cities, the Garda has operated a number of specific programmes. I am sure the Deputy is aware that these days, the motorways have become avenues for professional criminals to travel to distant parts of the country, away from their locality. The Garda has set in train a number of very specific programmes which have been quite successful in apprehending some of the professional criminal involved in such activities.

The Deputy asked about commitment to the Garda. The first recruitment to Templemore since 2009 took place this summer, with more to follow. That is the commitment this Government has made to increasing the strength of the Garda. The Government and I were very gratified to see the major interest from people in joining the Garda force.