It is stated on page 96 of the programme for Government that the Government is committed to building a visible and familiar policing force and policing presence in our communities. It is of great concern to constituents in Laois and Offaly that the rate of burglaries has increased by 6% according to a PhoneWatch survey. We also see violence associated with drink and drugs becoming all too prevalent on our streets. The Minister has made statements several times that the number of Garda recruits has increased but we are not seeing this on the ground. What action will the Minister take? Where are these gardaí? We need them out on the ground in our big towns, where many of the Garda stations are now part-time instead of full-time.

I am happy to confirm to the Deputy there are more gardaí actively engaged in Laois and Offaly than there were five years ago. This is in the context of an increased number of Garda recruits. We are on target to have a Garda service of 21,000 by the year 2021. I acknowledge the importance of yesterday's Government announcement of the appointment of the Garda Commissioner designate, Drew Harris, who will take up his position in early September. I want to say with specific reference to the Laois-Offaly division, which has been raised by Deputy Nolan, that I am very pleased to see an anti-crime task force was set up recently by Chief Superintendent John Scanlon, which is paying dividends on the ground. I acknowledge the support of the people of Laois and Offaly in their provision of assistance to the Garda Síochána in the crackdown on crime.