Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal, Alan Farrell, has stated that the allocation of €2.2 billion for justice reform and investment in Garda resources, in Budget 2015, will greatly benefit local communities throughout the State.
“The allocation of €2.2 billion for Garda resources, including further recruitment, and reform in the justice system is a necessary investment which will be beneficial to local communities across Ireland. 100 new Gardaí will be recruited in January on top of the recruitment of 300 Gardaí as previously announced. In addition to this €10 million has been allocated for the procurement 400 new Garda vehicles.
“The current Garda fleet is aging and the vehicles are reaching their threshold. 400 new Garda vehicles will provide the hard-working men and women of the service with the much needed investment to police our streets both effectively and efficiently.
“I am delighted with the announcement of further Garda recruitment today and I am sure that this will be welcome news to individuals and families across the country. Additional Gardaí and new vehicles will certainly have a significant impact in our local areas. While the men and women of the service have been working hard to maintain the security and safety of the State and every person in it, their visible presence on the streets has, through no fault of their own, declined as their numbers reduced. However, the investment announced as part of Budget 2015 will allow for this to be reversed. We will soon see more Gardaí out and about in our local communities on a more regular basis. Not only will this make people, particularly the vulnerable, feel safer in their own homes, but the effectiveness of having a visible Garda presence on our streets in deterring crime cannot be underestimated.”
“The men and women of An Garda Síochána carry out vital work in our local communities which is of the utmost importance to this Government. I know that more investment in Garda resources is needed but this announcement is a significant step in the right direction.”