Vol. 475 No. 7
185 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice if she will allocate extra gardaí to Tallaght, Dublin 24, to improve the level of policing in view of the fact that the major development of that area has increased its size to that equivalent to Limerick City; her views on the Garda operations structure in relation to this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5648/97]
The allocation of Garda personnel is the responsibility of the Garda authorities and they have informed me that over the period 1991 to 1997 the strength of Garda personnel attached to Tallaght Garda station has risen by 32 members with the current strength at the station being 140, all ranks, as of 31 January 1997.
The Garda authorities also inform me that foot and mobile patrols are regularly carried out in the Tallaght area and "Operation Dóchas" is in operation in the area. In addition local patrols are augmented, as required, by the divisional task force unit based in Crumlin. The Garda authorities point out that the community policing unit, which is based in Tallaght, as well as patrolling the area, regularly liaise with the local residents and the business community.
While the Garda authorities are aware that the opening of the new Tallaght hospital, together with other construction projects in the locality, will significantly add to the development of the greater Tallaght area, they are nonetheless satisfied that the current policing needs of the Tallaght area are being adequately met with the present deployment of resources given the expansion of these policing arrangements over the past six years. I am assured by the Garda authorities, however, that all policing arrangements for the Tallaght area are kept under continual review and adjustments made as necessary.
