asked the Minister for Justice if he will make arrangements to provide increased and adequate Garda resources to serve the Tallaght area of Dublin 24; if, in view of the representations submitted by the neighbourhood watch scheme serving Bancroft, Main Road and Newtown Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (details supplied) he will indicate his commitment to provide adequate Garda resources as requested by the volunteer workers on this scheme and which has not been provided up to now; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers - Tallaght Garda Resources.
97.
The detailed allocation of Garda manpower and other resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is proposed to fill a vacancy for an inspector at Tallaght station on 18 February. The manpower and other resources allocated there are being kept under continuing review in the light of overall resources and other demands on Garda services and extra manpower will be assigned there as circumstances permit. Apart from the resources at the local station, there is a substantial backup service available to the Tallaght area from the Dublin Metropolitan Area Headquarters which can be called on as the need arises.
The Garda authorities are aware of the particular concerns expressed by the representatives of the neighbourhood watch scheme for the Bancroft and adjacent areas and these are being taken into account in the policing arrangements for the area in question. I would make the point that it is not the practice to allocate a specific proportion of Garda resources in any area to the neighbourhood watch scheme. Neighbourhood watch is essentially a crime prevention programme which enlists the voluntary help of the community in co-operation with the Garda Síochána.