An Garda Síochána
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-16
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

Ciara's petition is probably trying to do what many other communities seek to do as well. In effect, she and the Deputy are looking for a formal assessment of the policing needs of the Rush area. I want the Deputy to know, however, that when the Commissioner sits down to decide where the new gardaí coming out of Templemore should go, he does it on the basis of a particular plan. In the past year, it has been for the purpose of achieving high-visibility policing, predominantly in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. However, he is now having new probationer gardaí put into suburban areas and rural areas as well. I suppose he has to decide on the basis of the needs of the country as a whole. We would all prefer it if the Commissioner put a significant number of recruits into our own constituencies, but he has to adopt a fair basis for all communities. He also has to take into account where the needs are. It is a complicated issue to determine where gardaí should be placed. As the Deputy will probably agree, there is no point in putting gardaí where they are not needed and where there are not high crime levels. Communities have to have a garda presence but there are areas where you need to focus gardaí, and that will be based on the Commissioner’s assessment as to where the needs are greatest.
The Deputy has very eloquently advocated a permanent Garda station in Rush, in her area. What is more important to me is actually seeing gardaí out in the community. We have many Garda stations but it is not the stations that give people a sense of safety. Rather, it is the fact that there are gardaí on the streets or in the vicinity of the station. I will seek to prioritise the continued presence of gardaí in the community. People want them visible. I hear what the Deputy is saying about Rush Garda station. I will consider the matter and discuss it within my Department.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:49+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-16