asked the Minister for Justice if he will examine the matter of policing an area (details supplied) in Dublin 7 as there is a high incidence of crime and vandalism there; and if there is any plan for increasing the strength of the gardaí operating in the area.
Written Answers. - Policing Arrangements.
187.
The precise arrangements for the policing of particular areas are a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the area in question, which is policed from the Bridewell Garda station, receives regular attention from foot and mobile patrols operated by both uniform and plain clothes units and that it also receives attention from the crime task force and other specialist units. I am also informed that four recruit gardaí were assigned to the Bridewell station on 5 September 1986 to facilitate extra foot patrols in the district, including the area in question, and that Garda strength at the station will be reviewed on 5 December 1986, when the next group of recruit gardaí become available for allocation.
As regards the incidence of crime in the area in question, the Garda authorities report that there is a proposal to include the area in a local neighbourhood watch scheme. This should make an important contribution to the prevention of crime.
188.
asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to the taxpayer of the Garda security before and after the court hearing involving Mr. Peter Robinson, MP, at (a) Dundalk, County Louth and (b) Ballybay, County Monaghan.
It is estimated by the Garda authorities that the cost, over and above the cost of normal salaries and allowances, was about £50,000 (this figure includes overtime, travelling, subsistence and transport expenses). The normal salaries and allowances would have been payable irrespective of the court hearings but of course gardaí did have to be diverted from other duties to provide policing for the hearings. It would be contrary to established practice to give information as to costs which could be used to quantify the number of personnel involved in any policing operation.