asked the Minister for Justice if additional gardaí will be put on the beat or on motor patrols to combat the increase of housebreaking and vandalism which is becoming so prevalent in Dublin city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Patrols.
41.
As I mentioned in answer to previous questions, the Commissioner, with the assistance of the Garda Research and Planning Unit, is carrying out a comprehensive review of strength distribution throughout the country. One of the major factors which the unit has to bear in mind is the increase in crime in Dublin. Pending completion of the review, I am not in a position to say what recommendations will be made for the policing of Dublin.
Meanwhile, however, every effort is being made to cope with the increase in crime. In the past four years, an extra 253 gardaí have been allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Area, the number of Garda cars and motor cycles has been increased by 24 to a figure of 136 and there has also been a considerable improvement in radio communication systems.
When does the Minister hope that this study will be carried out in view of the fact that in the past two years there has been an increase in the number of offences in the country of 5,441? The detection rate in Dublin has dropped 48 per cent. In 1969, in Dublin 15,270 offences were committed and the detection rate is only 48 per cent. Does the Minister not think that his answer is completely unsatisfactory and entirely too vague?
The study to which the Deputy referred is being carried out at present and has been in hand for some months past.
When is the study likely to be completed and, when it is completed, will it be published? Have any interim recommendations been made pending the completion of the study? Would he consider increasing the Garda strength all over the country in view of the increasing crime problem?
A number of interim recommendations were made from time to time by this Research and Planning Unit with regard to specific areas throughout the country, including parts of Dublin. Then the difficulty was found that taking ad hoc measures in respect of small or limited areas was most unsatisfactory because, on a broader view being taken later, it was sometimes found advisable to change the ad hoc measure that had been taken as a result of the interim report. Accordingly the Research and Planning Unit now feel that it is better for them to look at complete areas and not to make interim recommendations in respect of specific districts.
What terms of reference were given to the Research and Planning Unit?
They have no specific terms of reference. They have to examine the whole set-up.
In view of the fact that so many gardaí have to be assigned to bank duty and also now to sub-post offices, does the Minister not agree that this in itself limits the numbers who are available for general patrol duties in the city?
The gardaí who are on what the Deputy describes as bank duties are, as I pointed out at length in the House recently, only partially employed on these duties specifically. What they are on are short beats which take in banks.
This in itself limits their activities and because of this fact there is a greater need for additional gardaí in the area.
Question No. 42.
As I said, an extra 253 gardaí have been brought in.
When this matter was last discussed in the House Deputy Tully asked the Minister if he would get in touch with the Minister for Defence with a view to getting Army personnel to do some duty in the banks. I believe the Minister said that he would consult with the Minister for Defence. Has he consulted with him?
I have consulted with him.
With a view to having soldiers doing bank duty?
I did consult the Minister for Defence.
What was the result?
We considered it would be undesirable to do that at the moment.