Meath Garda numbers
Deputy O'Rourke says Garda numbers in Meath have fallen despite earlier promises they would rise and argues the county has the worst per-capita position. The Taoiseach says he will check the figures but expects Meath to benefit from overall recruitment increases.
On 27 October 2023, The Meath Chronicle reported on an interview with the Minister for Justice in which she said Meath Garda numbers are increasing and will continue to increase. At that stage, we had 318 gardaí in Meath. We now have 304. We have the lowest number of gardaí per head of population. Does the Taoiseach accept that Garda numbers are not increasing in County Meath and that our position as the county with the lowest number of gardaí per head of population has only worsened under Fine Gael and this Government?
Comment on this
I will check the data. I do not doubt the Deputy's data but I do not have the data in front of me. I know Garda numbers overall are back in a position where we can make real progress because Templemore is finally effectively full. A new class is coming out every 12 weeks. We have provided significant funding for up to 1,000 more gardaí over the next 12 months and I have no doubt Meath will benefit from that in terms of additional gardaí.