It is urgent.

In 2009, Meath had a population of 180,000 and had 315 gardaí. In 2024, the county has a population greater than 220,000 and has 306 gardaí. It has had an increase in population of over 40,000 and a reduction of nine in the number of gardaí. We have had record resignations from An Garda Síochána and missed recruitment targets every year, including post Covid. Under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, we have cemented Meath's position as the county with the lowest number of gardaí per population. Does the Tánaiste accept that is an abject failure?

As I said earlier, Covid-19 had an impact on recruitment more generally. We need more gardaí and we need them more quickly. Recruitment has increased significantly over the past two years. Over the next number of years, there will have to be significant and substantial recruitment of members of the Garda to ensure the requisite number of gardaí are in towns the length and breadth of the country and not just in the major cities. That is an issue, and I acknowledge it as an issue. It was not for the want of investment over the past number of years. The impact of Covid has been quite far-reaching.

As someone who is leaving the House, I can say that the unfailing constant in this House is the ushers and the friendly way they deal with us as we go from the front to the back benches and places in between. It is important that we acknowledge that. I also acknowledge the catering staff, cleaners and people you meet every day. This place could not work without them. They are absolutely fantastic.

I have raised many issues over the years. I welcome the module in the Covid inquiry that will deal with the approach to nursing homes, but 23 people died in Dealgan House, the only nursing home in the country the HSE took over because it was deeply concerned about what happened. Will the Tánaiste change the terms of reference to the nursing home module to include an examination of Dealgan House and what happened there?

This goes to the heart of our country. If people die in the way that those people died and we ignore them, that is not good enough. If they were children, would we not add them to the inquiry? They were older people, including people with dementia. They suffered and died and there was nobody there for them. That is why the HSE went into the nursing home. That is a fact. While I always recognise the good work of the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, I ask the Tánaiste to do that.