Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will raise an issue that is very relevant to the area where I live. It may be slightly off-topic but I hope Mr. Harris will give me some insight into it. I am from County Meath. I sit on the joint policing committee there. A major bone of contention is the number of gardaí in the county. It is the issue of resource allocation, how it is done and why County Meath fares so poorly. It is documented that it has the lowest number of gardaí per head of population. There is a very significant difference between the top and bottom of that scale. How are allocations made? My understanding is there is a resource allocation model that depends on PULSE data and historical strength. That is problematic in the sense that what people have they hold and those who are disadvantaged are permanently disadvantaged. What is that allocation model? How does it relate to roads policing? Is it under review? Is there acknowledgement that some counties have very significant population growth, with the potential for demand for Garda services and, therefore, a disproportionate need for increased numbers?