Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Mildred Fox

Question:

172 Miss Fox asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide extra gardaí in the Blessington area, County Wicklow, in view of the fact that there have been a number of serious robberies and break-ins in the Manor Kilbride area in the past two weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15527/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that Manor Kilbride, which is located three miles from Blessington, forms part of the Blessington Garda sub-district.

I understand from the Garda authorities that Manor Kilbride is patrolled by the Blessington patrol car and that such patrolling is augmented as necessary by other resources from within the Carlow-Kildare Garda Division.

The Garda authorities have informed me that the recent crime statistics for Blessington Garda station are as set out in the following table:

Year	Recorded	Detected
1994	84	61
1995	61	19
1996	117	48
1997*	88	38

* Figures are provisional.

The Garda authorities report that one burglary has been reported to local gardaí since 1 June 1998 and that inquiries and investigations into this incident are still ongoing.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that they are satisfied that the best possible Garda service is being provided in the Blessington area with the current deployment of Garda personnel. However, they have assured me that the staffing situation will be kept under review and that, each time additional personnel become available for allocation, the needs of the Blessington district will be fully considered in the overall context of other districts around the country.