asked the Minister for Justice his Department's policy regarding deployment of gardaí on the beat; and the measures being taken to ensure that this policy is implemented in each Garda station.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Patrol Policy.
4.
Operational decisions in regard to the deployment of resources are taken by the Garda authorities, the precise arrangements made for policing particular areas being made by or in consultation with the local Garda officers. As already announced, management consultants are carrying out an examination of systems of review and control of Garda strength with a view to facilitating the most efficient deployment of the available resources. The consultants are expected to report shortly.
Can the Minister say what the comparison is between the number of gardaí on the beat at present and the number of gardaí on the beat about ten years ago?
It would be impossible to make a global comparison because the situation could vary from station to station and from district to district, depending on the demands on the Garda for other duties from time to time in different stations. As a matter of policy it is the Government's belief that the beat system is possibly the most important measure in the prevention of crime and we are anxious to see it restored to as full a degree as possible. Having regard to the inordinate demands on manpower at the moment it has not been possible to have as heavy a beat deployment as desirable but hopefully extra recruitment which has been announced will improve the position in that regard.
While accepting that it is the Government's belief that the man on the beat is by far the best method of crime prevention and crime detection, surely the Minister is aware that the man on the beat is a very rare thing now?
I am not so aware, and that is an incorrect statement of the position.
Is the Minister further aware that words to this effect have been repeated more than once by the Garda Review editorial over the last six months?
Words to that effect have not been repeated. Words to the effect that a higher incidence of beat patrolling would be desirable have been uttered, but to say that the man on the beat is a rare occurrence does not represent the position.
Accepting that that is the view of the Garda and in view of what the Minister has said, irrespective of the outcome of this consultancy report would the Minister guarantee to the House that the Government will take steps immediately to ensure that there will be an adequate number of men on the beat in view of the grave concern there is throughout the country about the increase in the pattern of crime?
The Deputy can be assured that the Government have concern in this regard and as a measure of their concern have announced the recruitment of an extra 500 gardaí. The overall manpower level of the police is under continuous review and should the number not be adequate I have no doubt the Government will act accordingly.
Could the Minister indicate a date as to when the recruitment of the extra 500 gardaí will commence?
Perhaps the Deputy would leave that for the moment. There are some questions later on that.