Gay Mitchell
Question:36 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the steps he is taking to deal with crime and vandalism problems in Dublin.
Written Answers. - Dublin Crime Problem.
I would refer the Deputy to the 1992 Law Enforcement Package which I published in December 1991 and in which I outlined the approach and the measures that would be taken this year in preserving law and order and protecting the community against crime.
Specifically, in relation to urban crime I announced that there would be an increased emphasis by all the agencies under my aegis, but in particular the Garda, on practical measures to deal with crime problems being experienced in certain urban areas. I also mentioned that a multi-disciplinary approach will be taken to the underlying problems of certain areas under particular pressure and that this approach will be based in part on the advice of a recently established interdepartmental group of senior officials and gardaí which has already commenced its examination of the issues involved. In addition, the Garda assessment of policing requirements in areas of greatest difficulty will be updated on a continuing basis so that effective response can be provided as and when required.
Practical policing measures being taken by the Garda authorities to deal with the situation in Dublin involve closer co-ordination and use of foot and mobile patrols and checkpoints, greater deployment of plainclothes surveillance units and increased targeting of Garda resources to meet specific anti-crime needs in particular areas.
The role to be played by the community is of course vital also. In this respect the Garda authorities have informed me that they are continuing to promote the neighbourhood watch programme which encourages the community to be vigilant to the danger of crime, to work closely with the Garda and to take appropriate measures to protect their homes and their property. There are now 801 neighbourhood watch schemes involving 166,975 households in the Dublin metropolitan area.
I can assure the House that the situation in Dublin as elsewhere is being kept under constant review by the Garda authorities and all appropriate action is being taken by them to effectively tackle crime in this country.