Vol. 298 No. 12
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the concern of the residents of Tallaght. County Dublin, with particular reference to Springfield, regarding the increase in house-breaking in the area: and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí attached to the Tallaght Garda station, County Dublin; and if he is satisfied that the number is sufficient to cater for the area.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together.
I share the concern of the residents of any part of the country where house-breaking occurs particularly in an area where there is an upward trend. In Tallaght there were 151 house-breakings in 1975 and 185 in 1976. However, in Springfield to which the Deputy specifically refers, there were no house-breakings in 1975 and four in 1976. Furthermore, the Deputy will be glad to know that there has been an increase of 50 per cent in the strength of Tallaght station since 1st April, 1973, the present strength being 27 compared with 18 four years ago.
The Commissioner informs me that the present allocation of gardaí to the centre is the maximum that can be provided at present having regard to the overall demands on available resources. No decision has yet been taken in regard to the allocation of the extra gardaí authorised by the Government but the Deputy may take it that a significant proportion of them will be allocated to the Dublin area.
I am rather surprised to hear there were only four house-breakings in the Springfield area because, during the past two weekends, there were a large number of house-breakings in the area. There was a public outcry from all the residents' associations in the area. I am rather surprised the Minister has not been contacted directly about the matter. There appears to be some lack of information.
The figure I have is for 1976. I suppose it is a matter of gratification that the number was so few in 1976. I am sure the Deputy will share my pleasure at that fact.
Certainly I appreciate that.
18.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the numerical strength of the gardaí at present assigned to duty in Dublin city and (b) the number of police cars allotted to each of the Garda stations in the city.
The strength of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin Metropolitan Area on 1st April, 1977, was 2,693.
The answer to the second part of the question is in the form of a tabular statement, which with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
OFFICIAL Garda vehicles on issue to Stations in the Dublin Metropolitan area.
|
Station |
Motor Cycles |
Other Vehicles |
|
Kevin Street |
1 |
3 |
|
Kilmainham |
1 |
2 |
|
Pearse Street |
1 |
4 |
|
Harcourt Terrace |
— |
1 |
|
Store Street |
1 |
5 |
|
Fitzgibbon Street |
1 |
2 |
|
Bridewell |
1 |
2 |
|
Mountjoy |
1 |
2 |
|
Donnybrook |
1 |
2 |
|
Irishtown |
1 |
1 |
|
Dunlaoire |
1 |
2 |
|
Blackrock |
1 |
2 |
|
Cabinteely |
— |
2 |
|
Dalkey |
1 |
— |
|
Kill O'Grange |
1 |
— |
|
Crumlin |
1 |
2 |
|
Sundrive Road |
1 |
2 |
|
Whitehall |
1 |
2 |
|
Ballymun |
— |
2 |
|
Santry |
— |
2 |
|
Raheny |
1 |
2 |
|
Clontarf |
1 |
2 |
|
Howth |
— |
2 |
|
Cabra |
1 |
2 |
|
Finglas |
1 |
2 |
|
Blanchardstown |
— |
1 |
|
Ballyfermot |
1 |
2 |
|
Clondalkin |
1 |
2 |
|
Lucan |
2 |
2 |
|
Rathfarnham |
1 |
2 |
|
Dundrum |
— |
2 |
|
Stepaside |
— |
1 |
|
Tallaght |
— |
2 |
|
Bray |
1 |
2 |
|
Shankill |
— |
1 |
|
Greystones |
— |
1 |
|
Enniskerry |
1 |
— |
|
Rathmines |
1 |
2 |
|
Terenure |
1 |
1 |
|
Coolock |
1 |
2 |
|
Swords |
— |
2 |
|
Malahide |
1 |
1 |
In addition to the vehicles listed, a total of 10S official Garda vehicles which are based in Dublin Castle, are also in use throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give a breakdown of the number of police assigned to foot patrols as against those protecting VIPs and public institutions?
I have not got those statistics. I doubt that it would be possible to give a breakdown in that way. It would be possible, I suppose, although I would have to consider the security implications, to give an indication of the numbers engaged on protection duties. The number on foot patrols would vary from time to time, from division to division, and it would not be possible to give a breakdown which would be a constant figure.
(Dublin Central): Could the Minister give the figure for 1975 of the total number of police so assigned?
I have these figures: on 1st March, 1973, 2,630; on 1st April, 1973, 2,630; on 1st April, 1974, 2,670; on 1st April, 1975, 2,674; on 1st April, 1976, 2,711; on 1st April, 1977, 2,693. I understand the present strength is 18 less than the April, 1976, figure. This reduction, due to retirement, death, and so on, is temporary and these vacancies will be filled in the normal way.
(Dublin Central): The Minister will agree that over the past three or four years there has been little increase in the police force in Dublin city. We know that, with the astronomical rise in crime, it is impossible for the police force to patrol the city properly. If we got a breakdown of the police at present guarding public institutions and VIPs we would find the number available for police work in the city is substantially lower than it was four years ago.
The Deputy should not make that statement because there is no information whatever available to validate it. I should like to see more gardaí in Dublin and, as I indicated, a significant proportion of the new recruits will be allocated to Dublin city to increase the numbers there.
Can the Minister indicate how many gardaí are on duty in the Sundrive Road station?
I have not got information in regard to the Sundrive Road station. I answered a question put down by the Deputy a short time ago.
In his answer some time ago the information the Minister gave did not convey the true situation. Is the Minister aware that in this station they are 18 under strength?
I am not so aware. If the Deputy puts down a specific question about the Sundrive Road station I will answer it.
This question relates to Tallaght.
I want to inform the Minister——
That is not in order.
——that the Garda are 18 under strength in the Sundrive Road station. Is he further aware that there are no foot patrols on occasion because people are assigned to other duties?
The Deputy must confine the supplementaries to the subject matter of the question. The Tallaght area is involved here. I cannot allow an extension of that.
Will the Minister indicate that more gardaí will be assigned to the Ballyfermot, Sundrive Road, Kilmainham and Crumlin areas in the near future?
I cannot say where they will be allocated but the Commissioner will assign the extra gardaí as they become available later in the year to the areas where they are most urgently required.
In view of the serious rise in crime in these areas, will the Minister ensure that some steps will be taken immediately to combat the violence and the burnings? Is he aware that the itinerant school was burned down last weekend? Is he aware that the children's play centre in Ballyfermot was burned down the previous Thursday? Is he aware that school blocks in Drimnagh were burned down not so long ago? Is he aware of the appalling situation which exists in Dublin? Will he take some remedial measures to ensure that sanity is introduced into the question of policing our city? Will he do that before the place is burned down in its entirety?
I am aware that the Deputy is doing no service to the people he represents by presenting such a lawless picture of the area.
Question No. 19.
