asked the Minister for Justice the number and grades of staff employed in the crime prevention office of the Garda Síochána; and the estimated annual salaries and wages cost and budget allocation to this office.
Written Answers. - Expenditure on Crime Prevention.
383.
, Limerick East): The Garda authorities report that the current full-time strength of the Crime Prevention Advisory Service is 24, comprising a detective inspector and four sergeants based at Harcourt Square who serve the Dublin Metropolitan Area, two sergeants in the Cork East Division and one sergeant in each of the other 17 Garda Divisions. In addition, there is an administrative unit at Garda Headquarters with overall responsibility for this as well as some other services.
The cost of specialised services of this kind is met from the overall financial allocation in the Garda Síochána Vote and the question of specially earmarking funds for this or other services does not arise.
I should like to point out that, while the Garda Crime Prevention Advisory Service is an important arm of the Garda Síochána in the prevention of crime, it would be misleading to mention that service without reference to the fact that all members of the Garda Síochána have a responsibility in the prevention of crime as part of their ordinary Garda duties and that the Garda authorities are anxious that all members of the force should promote public interest in crime prevention.