asked the Minister for Justice the number of break-ins reported in the area of the Dundrum Garda station, County Dublin, during each of the years 1973, 1974, 1975 and 1976.
10.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundrum (Dublin) Garda Station.
9.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of detectives on full-time duty at Dundrum Garda station, County Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 10 together.
The number of break-ins reported to the Garda at Dundrum station during each of the years 1973 to 1976 was 97, 127, 129 and 238, respectively. It is not the practice to give the number of detectives on duty at a particular station. In any case it would be misleading to consider detective strength in relation to crime since many crimes are dealt with by uniformed members of the force. At present, the total strength of Dundrum Garda station is 48.
Is the Minister aware that during recent weeks the number of break-ins have been as high as ten to 15 per week and, with the present strength of the Garda, there is little hope that they will be investigated until several days after they occur? There is no protection against burglaries as there is not sufficient personnel to get around until three or four days later to the scene of the crime.
I have no information as to the incidence of break-ins as quoted by the Deputy for 1977 and I cannot comment on the validity or otherwise of the figures he mentioned. As regards Garda strength at Dundrum station, the Deputy may be interested to know that between 1973 and the end of February, 1977, the strength increased from 34 to 48, something in excess of 40 per cent. As the Deputy is aware, an extra 500 gardaí are being recruited and I would hope that the bulk of them will be deployed in the Dublin area.
Is the Minister aware that between 1973 and 1977 it is estimated that the Dundrum Garda area has come to exceed the size of Waterford city in population?
I do not know the population of Waterford city——
30,000.
If the figure is 30,000 then it does exceed the population of Waterford city but, again, I have no information as regards the number of gardaí in Waterford city. However, the strength in Dundrum area has been increased to 48 which is an increase of 41 per cent in the last three years.
Whatever the extent of the increase I can assure the Minister that it is not adequate for the number of break-ins that are taking place, certainly if judged by the first couple of weeks of this year. Is the Minister aware that it is reaching the stage in this area that while in the normal course of events women used be afraid to go out at night in some parts of Dublin, here some women are afraid to stay at home because of the danger of break-ins?
I am not so aware and frankly I would be disturbed to hear that to be the position. I shall draw the Commissioner's attention to what the Deputy says and see if there is a possibility of extra gardaí being posted there in advance of the extra recruits being available for deployment in the Dublin area.