asked the Minister for Justice when the Garda station in Ballymun satellite town, Dublin, will be erected; and the number of gardaí that will be stationed there.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Garda Stations.
22.
I am informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that bills of quantity for the new station at Ballymun are expected to be ready next month and that it is likely that tenders will be invited by August and that building will commence in the autumn. I am not in a position to say when the work will be completed.
It is not known at this stage what the strength of the new station will be.
23.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí attached to Santry Garda station, Dublin; and when this station was last decorated.
The total strength of Santry Garda station is 28.
I am informed by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance that the exterior and part of the interior were decorated in 1968. Previously, the premises were completely decorated in 1957.
Arrangements for further decoration were made recently, and work has commenced.
Does the Minister consider that there is a sufficient number of gardaí in the Santry Garda station to police the entire area? This is an area somewhat similar to Coolock but there are only 28 gardaí for 40,000 or 50,000 people.
As the Deputy is aware, the question of the staffing of these stations is constantly under review and, as a matter of general practice in the Dublin area, we are endeavouring to increase the number of gardaí stationed there. At present, the number of gardaí in the Dublin Metropolitan Area is at the highest ever level.
Could the Minister state the number of people who are being policed by these 28 gardaí?
I have not got that figure.
On what are staff numbers based? Are they based on the population or on the incidence of crime in a particular area?
There are a number of factors involved but the matter is kept under review at all times.
Is the Minister satisfied that there is sufficient liaison between those planning accommodation for new areas of population——
That is a separate question. The question relates to Santry Garda station.
May I then ask the Minister if he is satisfied that there was sufficient liaison in the case of the building of the satellite town of Ballymun—where, predictably, a large increase of population will take place— between those who planned that satellite town and those who planned accommodation for gardaí in the area?
As the Deputy knows, the planning of the Garda station there has reached an advanced stage. Pending the completion of the station the area is being policed from Santry station.
There has been a considerable time lag of a perfectly obvious nature.