asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the effect that overtime restrictions will have on one-man Garda stations.
11.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Overtime.
10.
asked the Minister for Justice if, in view of the demand for extra gardaí on the beat in Dublin city, he will state why he decided to cut down on overtime expenses; and if he will indicate how he expects to recruit the men that will be required if the present beat situation is to be maintained.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.
Overtime payments amounted to £3.8 million in the financial year 1973-74 and to £5.7 million in the period April-December, 1974, and by August, 1975 they were running at an annual rate of the order of £9 million. Even allowing for what might be called a natural growth in the level of overtime payments arising from increases in basic salary and for the internal situation, this accelerating growth in the rate of overtime payments was entirely unacceptable. This was so, not only for financial reasons— though I do not wish to minimise these —but because the level of overtime being worked was becoming so high as to create a serious risk of damage to the well-being and, in the long run, to the morale of members of the force. The Government were faced with a situation which could not be allowed to continue and they took what they regarded as the only possible course.
The action taken has, of course, been relatively modest and I should make it clear that overtime payments are still running at a very high rate. The Commissioner has assured me that beat personnel and mobile patrols are being deployed to give the best possible coverage having regard to the available resources and every effort is being made to minimise the effect of the restriction on the level of Garda services being provided. In the meantime the recruitment necessary to effect an increase in the strength of the force authorised by the Government earlier this year has been continuing and by mid-October the actual strength of the force had reached an all-time record of approximately 8,500. As already announced, management consultants are at present carrying out an examination of the systems of review and control of Garda strength with a view to ensuring the most efficient deployment of the available strength.
With regard to Garda one-man units, the Commissioner has informed me that there has been no significant reduction in the overall level of police service provided in areas covered by one-man units. When a member at one of these units is absent, or not on duty, arrangements are made to have a member from the district head-quarters available for duty whenever the need arises. At other times there may be curtailment of station opening hours and out-door patrols, but to offset this, arrangements are made for the district patrol car to visit the area concerned.
On question No. 10, Deputy Connolly has given a classic example. Is the Minister not aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction about these one-man Garda police areas in regard to the level of policing that is now available?
I am not aware that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction. From time to time and from place to place, in respect of local exigencies, there may be a temporary complaint about the level of policing, but it is not widespread or on the scale suggested by the Deputy.
I do not know whether I got the wrong information, but I think the Minister is burying his head in the sand. On Question No. 11, when the cutback on overtime was announced, I was surprised that the tenants organisations did not have an outcry. Is the Minister aware that the Commissioner of the Garda has expressed the view that the number of men on the beat should be greatly increased? If this is to be achieved, does he not agree that a great deal more overtime will be necessary with the number of gardaí at present available?
I am aware that it is the policy of the Garda authorities to ensure that there is an adequate number of beat patrols, and, as I indicated in my reply, I have been assured by the Commissioner that the beat personnel and mobile patrols are being deployed to give the best possible coverage having regard to the present circumstances.
In the area I represent, in Ballyfermot, Inchicore, and the north side generally, I have heard complaints that a great deal of vandalism, housebreakings and other crimes such as rape would be greatly diminished if uniformed garda were at the location and known to be on patrol on the beat? Would he not consider that a big increase in the number of men on the beat would pay the State well in reducing this type of crime?
I agree the uniformed police officer on the beat is a deterrent to the type of crime indicated by the Deputy, but it is not possible to have men on the beat on all streets at all times. There would obviously have to be areas that would not have a beat patrol. Vandalism is essentially a social problem rather than a police problem.
It is both.
It is a mixture of both, but the social element is probably the greater in it. As I say, police authorities are well aware of the importance of the beat patrols and it is part of their policy to have as many beat patrols as possible.
Is the Minister aware that there are certain flash points, particularly in Dublin city, where out-breaks of vandalism are fairly consistent? Could we not step up the number of beats in these flash points?
I think I could take it safely that these flash points do get extra attention. That is Garda policy.
Usually with a squad car which is detected long before it arrives.
Would the Minister care to comment on an observation that has been made to me in relation to the withdrawal of overtime——
On a point of accuracy, all overtime has not been withdrawn.
I am sorry, the reduction in overtime. In some cases the duties which hitherto had been met by overtime from gardaí within the district of the station concerned is now being met by the transfer of gardaí from outside stations and at a greater cost to the State than the overtime that would have been paid.
I would hope that that is not the position. It defies belief that an economy measure would be implemented in a way that would be more expensive than the economy sought to be attained.
I refer to the need for a man from a station somewhat distant from a station in which overtime is required to get travel allowance and in some cases overnight allowance which I believe in some cases at any rate exceeds the normal cost of overtime.
I cannot imagine there is such a practice. I should be grateful if the Deputy had some hard information on that, as I should be very interested to hear it.
It is an observation.