I raise the issue of recruitment and retention in An Garda Síochána. As the Minister knows, since the reopening of Templemore we have been very consistent in increasing the numbers to in and around 14,000. However, there are issues, which I think have been noted in this sphere in the Department of Justice, regarding recruitment and retention. The question as to whether that is due to rostering, the terms and conditions of employment or an economic by-product of being at full employment is something we do not know. Can the Minister outline whether there will be an increased emphasis on recruitment and retention issues, in particular whether the Minister for Justice will address the issue of mandatory retirement? It seems a shame to lose so many hugely experienced members of An Garda Síochána to the mandatory retirement age when they could be redeployed to other areas within the Garda.

I thank Deputy Farrell for raising this issue. He will be familiar with the work we are doing to provide funding for 1,000 new gardaí this year. We are seeing Garda recruits enter Templemore every 11 weeks. However, I agree completely with the Deputy on mandatory retirement. People who could carry on their current or any other post within the sector effectively have to retire. We have also seen issues with regard to civilian personnel who are about to retire, and some of those posts have not been replaced. I have seen that in our district and others the Deputy will know. It is important for us as a Government that we continue to see an increase in Garda numbers and ensure our towns, villages and cities are properly policed. I will raise the matter directly with the Minister for Justice, Deputy Helen McEntee, on the Deputy's behalf.