I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 to 120 together.
The detailed allocation of manpower and other resources to particular areas is a matter for the Garda authorities having regard to their assessment of needs, overall resources and the various demands on Garda services that must be met. In assessing needs, population and the incidence of crime are only two of a number of factors which must be taken into account.
Regard must be had to the police needs of all areas both rural and urban and it must be borne in mind that certain areas have particular policing needs for security reasons.
It must also be borne in mind, when looking at areas of Dublin, that all stations in the Dublin Metropolitan Area have available to them substantial resources of manpower and transport additional to those based at local stations and specialised units such as the Crime Task Force and the Serious Crime Squad can be called on to assist gardaí in dealing with particular localised crime problems. Overall, the deployment of Garda resources is kept under regular review by the Garda authorities and adjustments are made to meet changing needs and circumstances, as necessary.
With regard to the incidence of crime in the particular areas referred to in the questions. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the indications are that the downward trend experienced in 1985 in the number of crimes reported from these areas is being maintained this year.