It was announced recently that 5 new garda recruits were to be allocated to Kildare. The latest figures made available to Fianna Fáil’s justice spokesperson Niall Collins shows there were 300 gardaí attached to Kildare in February this year, down from 324 in April 2011. The loss of 24 gardaí to police our communities cannot be undone with an additional 5 garda recruits.
It is extremely important that Garda recruitment and the training of new officers is continuing but I think the Government needs to ramp up its efforts in this regard. The strength of the garda force nationally is now around 12,500 and there are a further 1,498 officers eligible to retire this year. This would leave the force at a seriously diminished level.
I was delighted to see earlier this week street lights being installed on the Sallins Road at the M7 motorway bridge. These lights now mean that the entire route from Naas to Sallins is fully lit. I had this raised as a motion at council level when first elected to have lights placed along this final dark stretch of road. As a resident of Sallins I know how beneficial these lights will be to other locals who use the bridge, particularly when the winter evenings arrive. It will make a great difference to the many, many people who cross that bridge on foot, bike or buggy during the shorter evenings. You can now travel from the centre of Naas to the centre of Sallins with street lights along the full route.
Keeping Maynooth University pool open is imperative for the wider benefit of the community in Maynooth and I have urged all parties involved to continue working to keep the swimming pool open. Kildare County Council recently voted to work with Maynooth University to ensure the swimming pool remains open. Currently the pool is set to close in August. I have been working with Maynooth University and the concerned local residents who keep this vital amenity open. I recently attended a local meeting were over 200 people turned up to voice their concerns. The numbers in attendance is telling of the local demand for this swimming pool.
