asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement on the report submitted to him by the Garda Síochána at Tallaght, Dublin 24 and the findings of his tour of inspection there; and the steps he has taken or proposes to take as a result of these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tallaght (County Dublin) Garda Service.
6.
Arising from a review of policing in the Tallaght Garda sub-district, which included consideration of reports prepared by the local district officer, arrangements have been made to provide an improved Garda service in the area.
As I announced earlier this month, the largest community policing scheme in the State is now in operation in the Tallaght sub-district. The scheme operates in nine areas in Tallaght and one inspector, two sergeants and 15 gardaí are assigned to it, all of whom have received special training for the purpose. The overall Garda strength at Tallaght station has been increased by 12 to its highest ever strength of 105.
The Garda authorities inform me that the initial reaction to the introduction of the community policing scheme in Tallaght is very positive and that there are already encouraging developments in the area of Garda-community relations. The authorities are keeping the policing needs of the Tallaght area under close review. The question of further improvements in the Garda service there will be considered in the light of available resources and overall demands on Garda manpower.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Would the Minister indicate the areas of Tallaght in which community policing is taking place, the manner in which it is operated and the numbers involved?
I have not got the specific details in answer to that question. I will endeavour to ascertain them for the Deputy and let him have them as soon as possible.
Does the Minister have any outstanding requests from senior Garda officers in Tallaght for any additional manpower, equipment or vehicles?
Requests of that nature would not be submitted to me, but rather to the Garda Commissioner from the district inspector there. Indeed I should like to pay a special tribute to the district officer there, Superintendent McMunn, and the force directly responsible to him for the tremendous work they are doing in that area.
That is the reason I am fighting for more resources for them.
The present and former Garda Commissioners are more than well aware of the position obtaining in Tallaght. The Deputy should know that, within the short two years in which I have been Minister for Justice, 27 additional gardaí have been made available to Tallaght over and above the complement obtaining there at the time the Government the Deputy supported left office. This has been as a result of sound, solid efforts and representations made to me by my good colleague, Deputy Seán Walsh, who is always eager to inform me what is the position on the ground as far as Tallaght is concerned.
While acknowledging what the Minister says, he will also be aware that the superintendent requested 20 additional gardaí over and above those deployed as being necessary to meet the policing needs of Tallaght. Doubtless the Minister will agree with me that the population of Tallaght is increasing daily, weekly and monthly, thereby increasing, pro rata, the need for Garda attention there.
The manpower assigned to the Tallaght area has increased by almost 50 per cent since the Deputy's party left the comforts of the last Government.
We did not find it that comfortable.