asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, to curb the high rate of vandalism in the centre city of Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Vandalism.
7.
I am aware of the serious concern at the level of vandalism in the centre of Dublin and since I have taken up office Garda strength in the four Garda districts in the city centre has been increased by 9 per cent. The Garda authorities have informed me that every effort is made to curb vandalism by patrolling problem areas on foot, on motor-cycles and in patrol cars.
However, the policing of areas is not the only way of tackling the problem. In the long-term the teaching of civics to our children and the inculcation in them of a sense of pride in their environment and a respect for property all have a part to play in combatting vandalism. To this end both the Garda Community Relations Department and the juvenile liaison officers avail themselves of opportunities to address school groups and community associations throughout the city on these topics.
Question No. 8.
I wish to ask a supplementary. The Chair allowed half-an-hour on the last question.
The Chair did not realise that the Deputy wished to ask a supplementary.
The people opposite took half-an-hour on the last question.
(Interruptions.)
Order.
Is the Minister aware that there are large areas in the centre city that are not patrolled? These are areas in which there are large blocks of flats and in these circumstances can the Minister assure us that the situation will be rectified?
I am not so aware but I am aware that vandalism there is at an unacceptable level. The Garda are aware of this, too. However, I am aware also that there has been a substantial increase, an increase of from 9 to 10 per cent in Garda strength in the city centre area. There may be a further increase as a result of the recruits who will complete their training at Templemore within a few weeks. The Garda Commissioner is familiar with the problems of the area and it is his job to take the necessary measures to deal with these problems. I sincerely hope that he will be able to improve matters there. I do not know whether what the Deputy says is true but I will bring his remarks to the attention of the Commissioner.
In the complexes in which most of the problems arise, elderly people in particular are prisoners in their homes. I am pointing to these problems because the Minister appeared not to have been aware of them.
I am calling the next question.
I wish to ask a further supplementary.
The Deputy has been making a statement but now he says he wished to ask a question. We must have some order.
The Minister was not aware of the situation in the area to which I am referring.
It is not the duty of the Deputy to give information at Question Time.
Can the Minister say whether his Department have been allocated any money from the £1 million that was set aside in respect of centre city activity?
That is a separate question.
Moneys are allocated to my Department under their own subheads in the normal way.
In other words, is the Minister saying he did not get anything out of this £1 million?
I am not saying anything of the sort. I am telling the Deputy how allocations of money are made.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 8.
Is the Minister aware that when one calculates the number of miles in the streets of Dublin and counts the number of gardaí, it works out that there is only one garda for every three miles at certain times of the day?
(Interruptions.)