Liz O'Donnell
Question:22 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, she intends to take to deal with the serious breakdown of law and order in the Ronanstown area of Dublin 15.
Written Answers. - Ronanstown (Dublin) Incidents.
The Programme for Government embodies a commitment to implement the report of the InterDepartmental Group on Urban Crime and Disorder which contains a number of specific recommendations in relation to the North Clondalkin area.
I do not accept the Deputy's description of the situation in Ronanstown. While the report of the Inter-Departmental Group — copies of which are available in the Dáil Library — does show that difficulties have certainly arisen in the North Clondalkin area, it also makes it clear that the extent of the problem can be overstated. The report contains a balanced account of the actual situation and, specifically, adverts to the dangers of overstatement, which certainly does nothing for the people of Ronanstown. Paragraph 2.5 of the report states that:
One of the unfortunate effects of many of the things that have been said about Ronanstown is that they convey the impression that for most members of its community there is this "dark" side of experience and little else.
Nothing could be further from the truth. What is most encouraging in fact is that the vast majority of people in Ronanstown are just as socially conscious and committed to the development of their area, to the development of positive community spirit and the provision of future opportunities for their children, as they are anywhere else in Ireland.
Since December, 1991, the strength of Ronanstown Garda Station has increased from 46 to 56 Gardaí. Community policing is a major feature in the fight against crime in the area, and in that connection, there are now one sergeant and ten gardaí working on community policing duties from the station. The area also has the benefit of the services of two JLO gardaí, one attached to Clondalkin Garda station and the other attached to Ballyfermot Garda station. Moreover, an additional Garda car has recently been assigned to Ronanstown station. Finally, I am assured by the Garda authorities that the manning levels at Ronanstown Garda station are kept under continuous review.