asked the Minister for Justice the present Garda strength in Sundrive Road Garda station; how this force is deployed; and the population it serves.
6.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sundrive Road (Dublin) Garda Strength.
5.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the growing vandalism in the Drimnagh area of Dublin; if he is satisfied that the Garda strength in the Sundrive Road Garda station is adequate to cope with it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
The present strength of Sundrive Road Garda station is 42 and the population of the Garda sub-district is estimated at 49,000. Having regard to other demands on Garda resources, the Commissioner does not propose to increase the Garda strength in the sub-district.
It would be contrary to established practice to give details of the arrangements made by the Garda authorities for the deployment of strength in the area. I might mention, however, that special patrols are being introduced to deal with the problem of vandalism in the Drimnagh area.
Would the Minister indicate if any examination of the serious situation in the Drimnagh area has been undertaken by the Garda on the question of vandalism and crime in that area and in Dublin as a whole? I am alarmed to hear that no attempt has been made to increase the Garda force in the area. Is the Minister aware that in Dublin alone, 10,000 street lamps were broken last year at a cost of £20,000, and 3,000 telephone kiosks, 100 lifebuoys and over 25,000 trees were broken in the past couple of years? Surely this is a very serious situation in Dublin city. We demand an increase in the Garda force in this area where there is a high rate of vandalism.
This is a long question.
I am aware that vandalism is a problem in parts of Dublin and I have answered questions on this subject before. I have indicated that essentially vandalism is a social problem and the Garda by themselves cannot cure vandalism. With regard to the problem of Drimnagh, which is the subject matter of the question, as I indicated in my reply, special patrols are being introduced to deal with the problem of vandalism in this area.
The Minister said the strength of the Garda station in this area is 42 officers and men and that the population is 49,000. I am sure the Minister is aware that the Garda normally work three eight-hour shifts. That would mean there are 13 people, including officers and men, available for police work for 49,000 people. Since there is a complete cutback in overtime for Garda on duty such as this, is the Minister aware that the number of people available for beat work, where we would all like to see them, is practically negligible? The whole thing is a bit farcical if we expect proper police patrolling.
We are having new matter injected into the question.
I was asked the number of Garda and the population and I gave the figures. It is not a relativity which, of itself, means anything. What is important is the level of policing in the area, having regard to the needs of the area. I should like to see many more Garda in parts of the city, and so would the Government. We are conscious that there is a need to increase the numbers and it is for that reason that the overall strength of the force is being increased.
Is the Minister aware that there are only 13 people per week available to look after an area in which 49,000 people live? That would mean about eight or nine people on duty per day. At least one or two are required for station work and the number of Garda actually out communicating with the people is practically nil.
It does not follow that the breakdown of the deployment of the force in this station is as the Deputy says. The force will be deploying according to the needs of the station by the officer in charge from time to time. You cannot divide it and get an answer and say this is the way the men are deployed. The men will be deployed in accordance with the needs of the station, subject to the overall limitations of manpower. I concede there are limitations there and it is to end those limitations that we are increasing the strength of the force.
Can the Minister give any indication of what would be regarded as a desirable ratio of Garda to population? Has any such figure been recommended by his Department or by the Commissioner?
I am not aware of any objective ratio because the ratio would depend on the needs of the area and on the level of crime, vandalism, and so on. It would not be possible to say there should be an overall average ratio of Garda to population.
In the area in question, I have noticed similar characteristics. Could the Minister indicate whether he or the Commissioner has any views on what a desirable ratio there would be, or what Garda strength is needed to police this area effectively?
It is not possible to give a figure which would be a constant figure because the ratio we might decide was adequate for this day in 1976 might be found to be too high or too low in three months' time.
We are concerned only with the present.
I want to get on to another question. We have dwelt a long time on this question. A final and brief supplementary from Deputy Dowling.
Can the Minister indicate the number of Garda on administrative duty who are not on the beat? Has he taken into consideration the question of sick leave and the amount of time spent in court by the Garda? Are any of the Garda in this station on call for duty outside the area on the Border or in Portlaoise?
The number on administrative duty could vary from time to time. Administrative duty might also involve outdoor duty. For example, there are two inspectors with supervisory duties and their duties would be outside. There are sergeants on office duty but, from time to time, they may also go on outside duty. It is impossible to say that in any station so many men are on this job and so many men on that. The superintendent in charge will deploy his men to meet the exigencies of the situation.
What about men called outside the area?
There are no Garda going from the metropolitan division to Portlaoise.