Vol. 442 No. 1
58 Mr. Harte asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide additional gardaí for County Donegal in view of the growing spate of vandalism and breakins in towns and villages in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the current strength of Donegal division is 485. The Garda authorities inform me that, while overall crime figures for the division to date in 1994 are roughly the same as last year, the figures do show an increase in vandalism and malicious damage type crimes. The Garda is taking special measures to deal with this situation. These measures include the deployment of gardaí in those areas considered to be at most risk and the issuing of crime prevention advice, using the local radio and print media. The Garda is also encouraging the establishment of neighbourhood watch schemes where appropriate in the division.
The Garda also reports that new arrangements have been introduced in the division whereby Garda stations have been twinned for manpower purposes. This has resulted in an improvement in policing in the division and makes optimum use of manpower and other resources. The Garda authorities are satisfied that the present strength is adequate to deal with the policing needs of the division and they are confident that the measures they are taking will have a significant effect on the fight against crime in Donegal. The situation is being kept under continuing review and any change in the policing arrangements which is considered necessary will be made.
