Being from Kerry, there is no doubt it is the finest county not just in Ireland but in the whole world.

That is not true.

It is probably the finest place a person could be privileged enough to represent. However, from a policing point of view it brings its own problems. I thank the Minister very much for taking time out from his busy schedule during the summer to visit County Kerry. He was kind enough to visit Garda stations where he listened attentively to the issues and concerns raised by local gardaí on the ground, including senior members of the Garda. I very much appreciated that. However, the position has worsened in respect of some of the issues we discussed with the Minister at that time. Since taking up his position, the new Garda Commissioner has said that things cannot continue as they were. For things to continue as they were, the Garda would need to have their existing resources maintained. However, cuts in overtime have resulted in many areas in County Kerry having a non-existent service. I know the Minister is not happy with that and does not want to stand over it. Unfortunately, it has led to members of the force being injured during their work. There have also been a number of assaults on gardaí, both male and female, in County Kerry. That is not acceptable, either in the past, present or future. I want the public to be assured in that regard. Whether it is from Valentia Island to Tarbert or from Ballyferriter to Gneeveguilla or Scartaglen, County Kerry is a massive county. It is a beautiful county but it is massive, and it takes a great deal of resources to police it properly.

The Minister may remember we discussed situations that arise at night when gardaí are in a patrol car. He fully understood the need to have three rather than two gardaí in a Garda vehicle in such circumstances. We asked him for that at the time but even two gardaí in one car would be a luxury. We were looking for three gardaí as a necessity but now we realise it would be a luxury because many parts of the county do not have a Garda car with one garda in it, never mind three gardaí.

Those are my concerns and those of the people on the ground. As the Minister knows, unfortunately, drugs have become an issue in places where we never had a drug culture or a drug problem previously. I remind him again that in late May or early June, we had a large public meeting in Cahirciveen in County Kerry, which was attended by hundreds of people and also senior gardaí. I appreciate and acknowledge their attendance. They were kind enough to come and give of their time and answer all the questions asked of them at a public forum, which was very worthwhile. Following that meeting, we highlighted our concerns to the Minister. I ask him to give whatever assurances he can give in that regard.

I assure Deputy Healy-Rae that I and the Government are fully committed to rebuilding An Garda Síochána to ensure the Garda is effective in dealing with crime, both urban and rural, where it occurs and, ultimately, bringing criminals to justice. I was very pleased to have had a brief opportunity during the summer while in south Kerry to engage with Deputy Healy-Rae, his brother, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, and members of the Garda Síochána on the front line. Since then, I have the opportunity on a daily basis to be fully briefed by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin, but I do not-----

Does he talk to the Minister as well?

He does-----

I see the Deputy writes books as well.

-----and vociferously. I do not have precise figures for County Kerry but I can say that since the Garda Training College reopened, having been closed for many years, we have seen an increase in Garda numbers throughout the country, including in County Kerry. I refer to a commitment in the programme for Government to have an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by the year 2021. I was pleased, in the context of last week's budget, to hear my colleague, the Minister for Finance, announce increased funding for the Garda Vote bringing it to the order of €1.7 billion. The extra €110 million in the allocation to An Garda Síochána next year will allow for the recruitment of up to 800 new gardaí from the Garda Training College in Templemore. Without interfering in any way with the work of the Garda Commissioner and his management team, it is fair to hazard a view that many of those new recruits will be stationed in County Kerry.

I do not direct the Garda Commissioner in terms of the deployment of resources. That is exclusively a matter of operation for the Garda Commissioner and his team. However, I acknowledge what Deputy Michael Healy-Rae has said with regard to his constituency in Kerry. I am keen to ensure that the Garda Commissioner and his management team take into consideration the valid points being made, having regard to the challenge presented by crime throughout the country, particularly in the district to which the Deputy refers.

I thank the Minister. It would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the work being done in increasing the number of gardaí on the beat, which I welcome. However, I draw the analogy between a garda in O'Connell Street and a garda in Kerry shouting that he or she needs help. There would be a fair difference in the response times involved in getting help or additional resources to those gardaí. We have challenges in Kerry that are not faced in this city or other places. I want to make sure that the policing of County Kerry and its lengthy coastline and the need for additional resources are at the forefront of the Minister's mind at all times. He saw this at first hand when, at our meeting, he viewed maps on the wall showing the size of the county. He understands the position.

It is welcome to have a Minister who has his feet on the ground and understands the problems and difficulties we face. I hope the businesses, families and people in our communities, including the great people involved in community alert schemes who try to help protect and police their own areas in the best way they can, will receive the support and resources they need from the Minister, the Government and An Garda Síochána.

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for his comments. I assure him that I will continue to give active consideration to deploying every possible means to ensure that crime in our country is tackled. However, in order to support the Commissioner in the recruitment drive, we have now provided an appropriate level of funding for new recruitment and to accelerate the process of civilianisation within An Garda Síochána. Availability and visibility on the part of the Garda Síochána are priorities. I acknowledge also the increased budget, not only to facilitate recruitment but also to augment the Garda fleet. Already this year, the Garda has rolled out in excess of 200 new Garda vehicles. This is an issue of concern to Deputy Healy-Rae. As far as County Kerry is concerned, I will be happy to convey his concerns to the Garda Commissioner at my next meeting.