Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Finglas (Dublin) Garda Resources.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

175 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice if, in relation to policing in the Finglas area of Dublin, she will give details of the average strength of the force on duty per eight hour shift and the ranks of the officers on duty; allowing for sick-annual leave, whether the manpower per shift is comparable with the manpower per shift in an urban-rural area of similar size and population; the number of gardaí on duty between the hours of 18.00 to 8.00, Monday to Friday and if she will give comparative figures for the weekend, and of these the number patrolling on foot and in patrol cars; the numbers who are (a) community gardaí, (b) assigned to traffic duty and (c) trainees; the number of distinct beats there are in the Finglas area; the regularity with which they are patrolled; and the regularity of patrols by the Divisional Task Force and the district detective car; if the number of gardaí on patrol in the village has been increased since the tragic death of a youth there in October 1992, particularly during evening hours.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I have consulted with the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on the desirability of supplying the detailed information which the Deputy has sought. The Commissioner is opposed to such information being made available as regards any area on the grounds of security and crime prevention generally. I am in agreement with the Commissioner on this matter.

I would like to point out, however, that size and population are but two of the factors to be taken into account in determining the level of public resources to be assigned to any particular area. Other factors would include the overall resources available such as support staff, transport and other facilities, the incidence of crime in that area and any special policing needs or problems that exist there.

The current strength of Finglas station is one Inspector, ten Sergeants and 61 gardaí, including nine Probationers. This shows an increase of 12 gardaí over the equivalent period in 1992. One Sergeant and four gardaí are employed on community policing duties. The divisional task force, which is based at Santry, augments local patrols in Finglas and the Garda Traffic Corps performs regular patrols in the area. In addition, there are two civilian support staff in Finglas station and there are also two traffic wardens, one of whom was recently assigned to the area on a part-time basis.

Policing arrangements in Finglas are continually reviewed and changes to existing arrangements are made by the Garda authorities as the situation demands having regard to available resources.