Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 2

Written Answers - Garda Emergency Response.

Ivor Callely

Question:

224 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that gardaí have to log calls, even emergency and road traffic accidents, before they can respond to calls for assistance, which may take some period of time due to insufficient personnel numbers; if her attention has further been drawn to the general public's dissatisfaction with such delays when they are in need of assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8855/97]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Garda authorities have informed me that within the Dublin Metropolitan Area all calls for Garda assistance received are recorded on a computer aided dispatch system. The Garda authorities believe that this is a necessary and extremely beneficial procedure, first, to ensure maximum speed in responding to priority calls and, second, from a management information perspective in assessing demands and optimum resource allocation.

They also point out that calls received through the "999" system are answered by designated call takers at the control room and details are recorded as the caller speaks. The system prioritises calls on a scale of one to four and automatically transfers the details to the appropriate divisional dispatcher. Calls are dispatched to units in accordance with the priority afforded.

Outside of the Dublin Metropolitan Area, emergency calls for Garda service on the "999" system are routed by Telecom Éireann operators to the nearest Garda station. I am informed by the garda authorities that time is taken to accurately record the details of these calls so that the necessary information is available to determine the appropriate Garda response. I understand that any delay as a result of this requirement would be minimal.