asked the Minister for Justice the outcome of the meeting which the Taoiseach and he had with Garda chiefs in Dublin at the beginning of April.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Meeting with Garda Chiefs.
4.
The purpose of the meeting in April was to review the serious crime situation, particularly in so far as Dublin city and its environs are concerned, and to decide on measures necessary to tackle the problem effectively.
The meeting examined a wide variety of matters including such items as Garda strength, recruitment and deployment, Garda equipment — including Garda communications, computer facilities, aerial and additional mobile capacity — the civilianisation of certain Garda posts, the provision of additional staff and equipment for the forensic science laboratory of the Department of Justice and pressures on prison accommodation.
A further meeting was held on 19 May to review progress made under these various headings and I would refer Deputies to the statement which was issued by the Government Information Services following that meeting. I have had a copy of the statement placed in the Library.
Measures have been taken to accelerate Garda recruitment procedures and the training centre at Templemore now has in training the maximum number that it is currently possible to accommodate there. In addition, the Office of Public Works have provided extra accommodation for a further 200 recruits. This will bring the overall recruit training capacity to almost 500 and will enable a total of approximately 1,000 recruits to be appointed in 1982.
Furthermore, with a view to releasing as many existing gardaí as possible for police duties, the process of civilianising certain posts has been speeded up. One hundred and one additional gardaí will be available for garda duties as a result. All are expected to have taken up their new duties by the end of July.
Additional personnel are being provided for the Probation and Welfare Service and arrangements for their recruitment are proceeding. They will be engaged on intensive supervision of persons who can safely be released from prison thereby reducing the pressure on custodial accommodation and helping to ensure that persons who ought to remain in prison do not have to be released for lack of sufficient accommodation. Additional staff are also being recruited for the Forensic Science Laboratory.
The question of changes in the law in areas affecting crime control is also being pursued with all possible speed. I expect to be in a position to bring proposals for amending legislation before the Government in the very near future.
Did Garda chiefs discuss with the Minister his present publicity campaign which is costing the taxpayer £150,000? Did they indicate that it would be of value in fighting crime and vandalism for the Minister to engage in such campaign and distribute personalised letters throughout the length and breadth of the country?
I am delighted to announce that the Garda chiefs are fully satisfied that the campaign was necessary and has been of great help to them. They regret, I am satisfied, that this was not done in the past.
How has this campaign assisted in the reduction of crime to date? How many acts of vandalism and how many criminal offences does he——
This question concerns a meeting.
The Deputy's lack of knowledge of crime prevention is obvious. One expects him to know that one cannot quantify how much crime was prevented by the mere presence of a garda or a member of the public who might wish to contribute in some way to crime prevention.
Was Assistant Commissioner Fleming present at the meeting?
He was.
Did they discuss the problem of the junior liaison officer scheme in the Garda at present, who are understaffed, which is causing problems particularly in the Dublin city area?
Yes.
What action does the Minister propose to take in relation to the juvenile liaison officer scheme which the Minister will agree is very worthwhile? What intentions does he have to expand the scheme and provide additional training for the gardaí operating it?
The serious erosion of Garda numbers during the period in office of my predecessor has left me in the position where my priority must be to bring about greater manpower of gardaí before I can do anything else seriously——
I am calling Deputy Brennan.
Will the Minister impress on the Garda the special crime situation in the Dublin suburbs and continue to draw their attention to the fact that the Dublin suburbs has the highest crime rate, and, in particular, if he will look at the situation in the Dublin south suburbs where two Garda stations are trying to cater for over 100,000 people?
I appreciate the Deputy's concern. When Garda recruits become available a review of the employment position will be made by the commissioner.
(Cavan-Monaghan): When further Garda recruits become available, if not before then, will the Minister restore the Cavan-Monaghan division to full strength? Is he aware that in the last few months the Garda strength there has been greatly depleted? This is to be deplored especially in an area where serious crime is prevalent.
The deployment of gardaí is a matter for the commissioner. The strength of the Cavan-Monaghan division has not been reduced and security in that area is equal to what it has been in the past.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister aware that in answer to a written question put down by me within the last week or two he said that the divisional headquarters in Monaghan was reduced by nine within a month and that there were more gardaí transferred from there in recent months?
The reduction in physical terms does not bear any relation to a reduction suggested by the Deputy in relation to security. The security level in the division is adequate, it has not been reduced but rather improved.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Does the Minister not realise——
We have had eight supplementaries on this question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): A few minutes ago the Minister told me there was no reduction in the strength.
The Deputy is confused about a reduction in strength and a reduction in security.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I am talking about numbers. The Minister is waffling and wobbling.
I am concerned about security.
Would the Minister not agree that he just told the House there was no depletion in numbers having given a written reply saying the numbers had been reduced by nine? Will he tell the House how he places such weight on increases in numbers as being important to security elsewhere but a reduction in numbers in the border area as being unimportant to security?
I do not agree with that.
The Minister cannot answer that.
I have answered it.
In his review of deployment policy, will the Minister consider rescinding the transfer orders sent to Cork?
That is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
The Minister was requested to rescind the order and I would like to know his decision.
That is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I will take up this matter again.