Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Jan 1997

Vol. 473 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

34 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Justice the allocation of Garda personnel to each Garda division on 1 January 1997; if her attention has been drawn to concerns that drugs-related crimes in Dublin's two inner-city divisions continue to increase; the plans, if any, she has to review Operation Dóchas with a view to identifying possible gaps; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2177/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I understand from the Garda authorities that manpower figures by division for 31 December 1996 are not yet available. The most recent statistics available relate to the allocation of Garda personnel on 30 November 1996 and are as follows:

Dublin Metropolitan Area South Central	689
Dublin Metropolitan Area South	721
Dublin Metropolitan Area North	794
Dublin Metropolitan Area North Central	518
Dublin Metropolitan Area East	511
Louth/Meath	482
Longford/Westmeath	241
Leix/Offaly	285
Carlow/Kildare	284
Wexford	275
Waterford/Kilkenny	299
Tipperary	296
Cork East	538
Cork North	204
Cork West	229
Kerry	232
Limerick	440
Clare	216
Galway West	313
Roscommon/Galway East	229
Mayo	253
Sligo/Leitrim	258
Donegal	449
Cavan/Monaghan	388
Garda College	131
Garda Headquarters	750
Dublin Metropolitan Area Office	106
Special Detective Unit	358
Central Detective Unit	64
Traffic Corps	121
Foreign Service	59
Community Relations	22
Total Strength All Ranks	10,756

I understand that provisional statistical data supplied by the Garda authorities for the period Jan-uary-November 1996 show that the level of overall crime in the Dublin North Central and South Central divisions has increased. This increase is a cause of some concern and the Garda authorities are taking appropriate steps to respond.

There is no doubt that Operation Dóchas, which is part of the Garda strategy to deal with drugs-related crime, is proving successful. This strategy operates in all Dublin districts and involves the deployment of in excess of 500 uniformed and plain-clothes gardaí. This operation has already resulted in an increase in the quantity of drugs seized and the number of arrests of those suspected of being involved in drugs. Operation Dóchas, like all Garda operations, is subject to ongoing review with a view to enhancing its effectiveness. Operation Dóchas will continue and is being revised as circumstances indicate or require.