We have recently seen that the census data has been collected and reviewed this year. The population has increased, towns have grown bigger and our communities have expanded. I want to ask the Minister about An Garda Síochána numbers. Over the weekend, I met with residents in Tullow, County Carlow, who told me previously they had three sergeants and 21 gardaí. Now, there is now only one sergeant and 12 gardaí, despite the increase in Tullow's population. This is unacceptable. I will provide another example. Comparing the constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny and the constituency of Waterford, for every three gardaí in Waterford, there are only two in Carlow-Kilkenny, even though Carlow-Kilkenny has a higher population. Again, this is unacceptable. Carlow has grown so much, but the Garda manpower is not there. When will we have more recruitment and when will it take place?

I recognise the value in having a visible Garda presence in communities. I am sure that is something that the Deputy and her constituents are seeking in Carlow as well. In the last budget, we provided funding for the recruitment of 800 additional gardaí. There is a recruitment campaign currently under way. The allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but it is absolutely the Deputy’s right to make the case to the Commissioner as to why Carlow should be getting a greater allocation of gardaí, and in particular, gardaí who are graduating from Templemore.