Vol. 485 No. 4
171 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide additional gardaí to the towns of Balbriggan and Skerries, County Dublin in view of the growth in both these towns; and the current strength of the gardaí in both Balbriggan and Skerries Garda stations. [23459/97]
The deployment of Garda personnel and resources to different areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have expressed concern, and I share that concern, about providing the detailed information sought by the Deputy on the grounds of security and in the interest of crime prevention generally. I propose, therefore, to provide the details on a district basis.
Skerries and Balbriggan form part of the Balbriggan district and I understand from the Garda authorities that the current Garda strength of Balbriggan district as of 30 November 1997 is 74 members comprising all ranks.
There are three mobile units allocated to Balbriggan Garda station which is open for 24 hours per day. The district patrol car operates on a 24 hour basis and is augmented by patrols performed by detective branch and crime unit members. I am also informed that there are 11 neighbourhood watch schemes in the Balbriggan subdistrict.
The Garda station in Skerries is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. When the station is unmanned, I understand that a direct communication link, putting members of the public in touch with the district headquarters in Balbriggan, is in operation.
There is an official patrol car allocated to Skerries Garda station and the Garda authorities inform me that this vehicle provides a 22 hour out of 24 hour Garda coverage of the area. The district patrol car augments this patrolling as required. There are five neighbourhood watch schemes and one community alert scheme in operation in the Skerries area.
The Garda authorities inform me that the local divisional officer is satisfied that the policing requirements of both Balbriggan and Skerries are being adequately met with the current deployment of resources. I am further assured by the Garda that these policing arrangements are continually assessed and changes made accordingly.
