Patrick O'Donovan, TD

Fine Gael candidate in the Roscommon/South Leitrim bye-election, Maura Hopkins, has welcomed the announcement by Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Simon Harris, that an amendment is to be made to ease the rates burden on many local sports clubs.

prisoners have absconded from the prison service in each of the past five years to date;

technology including forensic technology available to An Garda Síochána continues to be upgraded

when it is expected that the appointment of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána will be approved

various cold cases continue to receive attention

backlogs that exists throughout the court system

number of prisoners granted early release

prisoners continue to have access to ongoing education and rehabilitative training

upgrading of the Garda motor fleet

Garda recruitment programme; the extent to which the numbers of the force have fluctuated