asked the Minister for Justice if he will as a matter of priority arrange for a Garda station to be provided in the Portmarnock area of County Dublin.
463.
Written Answers. - County Dublin New Garda Stations.
462.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will as a matter of priority arrange for a Garda station to be provided in the Donabate/Portrane area of County Dublin.
, Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 462 and 463 together.
Portmarnock and Donabate/Portrane are but two of a number of areas in and around Dublin where there is a local demand for the establishment of a Garda station. The difficulty about providing extra Garda stations, apart from the high capital costs involved, is that manning them absorbs Garda manpower which might be used more effectively on patrol duty in the areas concerned.
The Garda authorities consider that the current arrangements whereby the Portmarnock and Donabate/Portrane areas are served from Malahide and Swords stations, respectively, make the best use of available resources and there are no proposals at present for the provision of separate stations in these areas.
In the year ended 30 September 1983, Garda strength at Malahide and Swords stations was increased by 17 and 14, respectively, and 24-hour opening was introduced at both stations in January last. The extra manpower and extended opening hours have provided improved policing arrangements for all the areas served from these two stations and the question of further improvements in the Garda service for the areas in question will be kept under review.