asked the Minister for Justice what the total force of gardaí in Dublin city is at present; and if he considers it adequate to deal with the increase in vandalism.
45.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vandalism in Dublin.
44.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the concern and anxiety felt by residents of the Crumlin and Walkinstown area at the increase in vandalism in these districts of Dublin; and what action he proposes to take to remedy this situation.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
The total strength of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Area is 2,094.
I assume that, by vandalism, the Deputy means malicious damage to property. May I therefore repeat what I said in reply to a question on 30th May last, namely, that the less serious incidents of malicious damage are particularly difficult to detect except where members of the public are willing to come forward with information and that even a substantial increase in Garda strength, at enormous cost, would be unlikely to make much difference in these cases?
I would also point out that, while figures relating to the less serious incidents are not available, the experience of the Garda Síochána is that there has been no significant increase in this kind of offence in recent years in Dublin and, as far as the more serious incidents are concerned, it is clear that there has, on the contrary, been a significant decrease, namely a decrease of 18 per cent last year as compared with the previous year. Furthermore, the already high detection rate of 70 per cent went up to 73 per cent last year.
Finally, as regards the two areas mentioned, Crumlin and Walkinstown, I am informed by the Commissioner, Garda Síochána, that the position in those areas is neither noticeably better nor noticeably worse than it is in many other residential areas in Dublin in which a high proportion of the population are children or juveniles.
Would the Minister not agree that the presence of the gardaí is in itself a deterrent to vandalism? The people in the area know vandalism is on the increase because they have been victims of it.
This is a matter in which more public co-operation would be welcome.
It is very difficult for people to do anything about these things after they have happened. It is happening every day, and I believe the Department is not with it, in not knowing the situation.
They know the situation. I have given the figures, but this is the haphazard type of offence on which information from the public would be a very great help to Garda detection.
The Minister stated there is need for more gardaí in Dublin. Do I take it his policy is to denude country stations, to concentrate the gardaí in Dublin at the expense of the country? Is that the policy?
No. We are having a very detailed look at the administration of the Garda Síochána throughout the country with a view to allocating Garda resources in the best possible manner, where they are needed to combat crime.
Would the Minister bear in mind the feeling of the people in the country in regard to closing the stations?