asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement in connection with the policing of an area (details supplied) in Dublin; if he is aware that residents' associations and groups are being advised by a parent Garda station for that area that gardaí are being allocated to VIP protection to the detriment of local policing; if this information is correct; if this is not correct, if he will ensure that those who are giving this as an explanation desist from doing so; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Policing of Dublin Area.
348.
Limerick East): The detailed policing arrangements for individual areas are a matter for the Garda authorities and the allocation of manpower between protection duty and other duties is a matter for the local Garda officers having regard to available resources, local circumstances and other demands on Garda services. I an informed by the Garda authorities that it is not correct to say that gardaí are being deployed on VIP protection duty to the detriment of other police duties in the area concerned and that they have been unable to confirm that such a statement was made by any member of the force.
Garda strength at the two stations serving the area, which takes account of special commitments such as protection duty, has been increased by a total of 35 members since 1 January 1983 and the service provided from these stations is currently being supplemented by assistance from elsewhere in the Dublin Metropolitan Area. The policing arrangements for the area are being kept under review by the Garda authorities and the question of a further increase in strength at the two local stations will be further considered when the next group of Garda recruits becomes available for assignment in August.