asked the Minister for Justice the total number of gardaí serving the Dublin city area in each of the past four years; and what measures he proposes to take to increase this force in the light of the increased population of Dublin city.
52.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Garda Strength.
50.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the increasing incidence of vandalism in the Drimnagh area of Dublin; and if he will increase the Garda force patrolling this area.
53.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the increasing incidence of vandalism in the Ballyfermot area of Dublin; and if he will increase the Garda force patrolling this area.
With your permission, a Cheann Chomhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 52 and 53 together.
The number of gardaí serving in the Dublin metropolitan area on 30th November, in each of the past four years and also in the current year, is as follows:—
|
1965 |
2,005 |
|
1966 |
2,110 |
|
1967 |
2,094 |
|
1968 |
2,090 |
|
1969 |
2,218 |
The question of increasing the strength of the force in large centres of population is, as I have indicated in my recent speech on the Estimates, directly related to the review which I am now making of the deployment of the force.
I am aware that there has been some increase in incidents of vandalism in the Ballyfermot and Drimnagh areas.
A new beat system has been introduced in the Ballyfermot area, and this, coupled with the recent allocation of 14 additional men to the Chapelizod station, in the area of which Ballyfermot is included, will make for greater Garda attention.
The requirements of the Drimnagh area will have the attention of the commissioner in the general allocation of personnel.
I would like to repeat what I have already said in the Dáil 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. The difficulty of preventing and detecting acts of vandalism is not confined to the Ballyfermot and Drimnagh areas.
Would the Minister agree that it is quite prevalent in those areas?
I agree that we have this problem there, undoubtedly.
51.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí serving in the Drimnagh-Crumlin areas of Dublin.
The combined strength of Sundrive Road and Crumlin Garda stations, from which the Drimnagh-Crumlin areas of Dublin are policed, is 103.