On page 96 of the programme for Government, in the section on justice, equality and law reform there is a commitment to increase Garda numbers. I acknowledge that it is happening and that the Garda College in Templemore is open, but I am concerned about the future of the traffic corps, in which in 2011 there were 940 members. In 2016 that number had declined to 669 and in 2017, to 643. In my constituency, Roscommon-Galway, the number was down by 23%. It was down by 32% in Longford-Roscommon and 32% in Sligo-Leitrim. Traffic corps numbers have reduced significantly everywhere. There are speed vans all over the place, but the Minister and the Taoiseach know that a speed van will not detect a suspicious vehicle. How many times in the past did the traffic corps intervene with such vehicles carrying people going to cause damage to homes or rob property? Will the Government increase the numbers in the traffic corps? Will it, please, take this issue on board as a matter of urgency?

The Deputy will be aware that the distribution of Garda numbers and allocations to specialties are matters for the Garda Commissioner. However, the Deputy will be pleased to hear of an increased number of gardaí in his constituency, Roscommon, in line with the national programme for Garda recruitment which will see a further 800 gardaí recruited this year, many of whom will be stationed in Roscommon, across rural Ireland and the Dublin metropolitan area. My ambition and the Government's target is to have a Garda service with 21,000 members by 2021, which will include 15,000 sworn members of An Garda Síochána, 4,000 civilian members and increased numbers in the Garda Reserve, up to a complement of 2,000. I assure the Deputy particular consideration will be given to the point he has raised. I am sure members of the Roscommon Joint Policing Committee are actively engaged in making strong representations on behalf of local communities to the local chief superintendent.