asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of police (a) attached to each Garda station in the Dublin City area; (b) on traffic duty daily; (c) on school attendance duty, and office work; and (d) the number engaged on the detection of crime.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Garda Strength.
Mr. Boland
As the Dublin Metropolitan Division of the Garda Síochána is one unit for police purposes, separate figures giving station strengths have no special significance. The total strength (all ranks) of the division is 1,555. Of these some 90 are employed daily on traffic duty; approximately 150 on administrative, office and station duties and the balance on duties in connection with patrols, protection and the prevention of crime. Only two are employed on school attendance work.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the number of Gardaí on duty in Dublin City daily at present and the number in June, 1950, 1951, 1952 and 1953.
Mr. Boland
The total strength of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Division on the 30th April, 1948, was 1,648. Due to the stoppage of recruiting, the strength fell steadily, and on the 31st March, 1953, had reached a figure of 1,425, the lowest strength since 1937. Following the reopening of recruiting, 176 newly-trained Guards were allocated to Dublin in April, 1953. The following are the figures asked for by the Deputy:—
|
June, 1950 |
1,502 |
|
June, 1951 |
1,478 |
|
June, 1952 |
1,446 |
|
June, 1953 |
1,579 |
|
November, 1953 |
1,555 |
I may add that for the country as a whole the total strength of the GardaSíochána on 30th April, 1948, was 7,510. The present strength is 6,564.
Might I ask the Minister if it is a fact that there was no crime when the number of Gardaí was less, and that now when we have more Gardaí in the City of Dublin we never had so much crime?
Surely that is a separate question.
The Minister said when there was a shortage of Guards there was more crime.
Is the Minister aware that in Dublin City there is a considerable number of Gardaí on duty who have sufficient service to entitle them to retire? Does he propose to remedy that position and allow them to have their well-earned retirement?
Mr. Boland
I do not think that any Garda who has asked to be allowed to retire has been refused.
Is it not correct that the Order issued in 1951 extending the period of retirement from 60 to 63 leaves a considerable number of Gardaí on duty over 60 or on 60? That is not desirable.
Mr. Boland
That was a concession made to the Guards.
Is the Minister not satisfied that Dublin is the most law-abiding city in the world?
Mr. Boland
I think it is.
The Deputy did not think so when he was establishing his army.