The programme for Government commits to prioritising the prevention and reduction of crime by providing investment in An Garda Síochána. Last week, my colleague, Deputy Jonathan O'Brien, raised with the Taoiseach the crisis in Garda resources in Cork city and referred to reports showing that just two gardaí were available for patrol on one particular night. He asked the Taoiseach to meet the Garda Commissioner to raise these matters. The Taoiseach told Deputy O'Brien in response that he had not had time to speak to the Commissioner. I do not know whether he has made time to do so since then.

I was in Cork yesterday with Deputy O'Brien and our colleague, Councillor Thomas Gould, where I heard at first hand about the impact of this lack of Garda resources on communities in the city. Playgrounds have been destroyed, people are fearful to socialise in their own areas and there is desperate carry-on on the streets of the city, with intimidating and threatening behaviour from a small cohort of young people.

The Deputy's time is up.

Today we learned that specially trained gardaí cannot take up their positions in a long-promised sexual offences investigation unit in west Cork because of a lack of personnel. Does the Government agree that the people of Cork have a right to feel safe on the streets of the city and in their homes? Does the Government appreciate that there is a real crisis in Garda resources and, if so, what does it propose to do about it?

Deputy, please.

Will the Minister for Justice and Equality come to the House to make a statement on the lack of Garda resources in Cork?

The Minister for Justice and Equality was in the Chamber this morning for Question Time and is currently in committee answering more questions. I assure the Deputy that the Government has invested more than ever before in the Garda, with an unprecedented €1.882 billion allocated for 2020. There are more gardaí on the streets than at any time in the past.

Not in Cork.

Nor in Dublin.

There are more gardaí on the streets than ever before and more civilian staff than we have ever had. The Government is absolutely committed to providing the necessary resources to the Garda Síochána to enable it to carry out its job.