Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 1

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Robert Molloy

Question:

43 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the widespread alarm among community groups and business people in the Galway area due to ever-increasing levels of crime including extensive distribution of illegal drugs; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that the lack of police manpower due to the failure to fill 16 Garda vacancies at Mill Street Garda station, the Galway west division headquarters, was known to be seriously affecting the capacity of the gardaí to deal effectively with the rise in crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16492/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisional figures for the Galway west garda division show that the number of indicatable crimes reported or known to the Garda in the year ended 30 September, 1995 is down by 4 per cent as compared to the corresponding period last year.

As regards the drugs situation in particular, I am informed that 62 drugs seizures were made in the division during 1994. Of these seizures 58 were in respect of cannabis, 2 were in respect of ecstasy and 2 were in respect of amphetamines. In addition, a total of 70 persons were charged with drugs offences. The drugs unit in Galway is alert to the drugs problem and continues to take action on an ongoing basis to deal with the situation.

The deployment of Garda personnel and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. I am informed by them that the number of gardaí in all ranks in the Galway west division on 31 December, 1994 was 319.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the present deployment of the Force within the Galway west division is, in their judgment, providing an appropriate level of Garda service to the area. The question of filling vacancies as soon as possible in the division will be fully considered, taking account also of the needs of other divisions throughout the country, as additional personnel becomes available.

Ivor Callely

Question:

44 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the level of crime in the Dublin metropolitan area for the first six months of 1995; the comparative figures for each of the years 1985, 1975 and 1965; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16465/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the information sought by the Deputy regarding the number of crimes committed in the first six months of 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1995 is not readily available (the Annual Garda Report is compiled on a 12 monthly basis). To obtain the information in the form requested would involve a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

Available information on the number of indictable offences reported or known to the Garda in the Dublin Metropolitan Area in 1965, 1975, 1985 and 1993 (last published figures) is set out below:

Year	No. of offences
1965*	9,192
1975	26,807
1985	52,588
1993	55,388

*For the 12 months ended 30 September, 1965.