Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 May 2000

Vol. 520 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Conor Lenihan

Question:

336 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will increase the Garda numbers at Tallaght Garda station, Dublin 24; the total strength of the force in Tallaght, Dublin 24; and if he will provide comparable information for the city of Limerick. [14866/00]

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

The detailed allocation of Garda personnel to an individual area is a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the current personnel strength as of 30 April 2000 of Tallaght Garda station, all ranks, is 152. I am also informed that Tallaght has a population of approximately 110,000.

I am further informed that Limerick City is policed by the Garda districts of Henry Street and Roxboro Road and has a personnel strength of 304, all ranks. I am also informed that the city has a population of approximately 101,700.

The Garda authorities have also informed me that the crime figures for Tallaght and Limerick City in the past four years are as follows:–

Tallaght

Year	Committed	Detected
1996	1,643	600
1997	1,456	561
1998	1,538	635
*1999*	1,216	456

*These figures are provisional.

Limerick City

Year	Committed	Detected
1996	3,011	1,063
1997	2,527	1,039
1998	2,629	1,203
*1999*	1,968	808

*These figures are provisional.

The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station has also increased considerably over the past number of years from 138 in April 1998 to 152 at the end of April 2000. The situation will also continue to be reviewed as extra resources become available and in the light of the needs of other Garda districts and divisions throughout the country.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

337 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current levels of Garda members attached to Coolock, Raheny and Howth Garda stations; the way in which this compares to similar levels in each of the years from 1996 to 1999; and when a new superintendent will be appointed for the Coolock district. [14874/00]

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

The detailed allocation of personnel to an individual area is a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the current personnel strengths of Coolock, Raheny and Howth, as of 30 April 2000, are outlined as follows:–

Station	Total (all ranks):
Coolock	88
Raheny	60
Howth	35

The personnel strengths of Coolock, Raheny and Howth stations in previous years are set out hereunder:

Coolock

Year	Total (all ranks):
February 1996	96
February 1997	89
February 1998	90
February 1999	89

Raheny

Year	Total (all ranks):
January 1996	70
January 1997	61
January 1998	60
January 1999	57

Howth

Year	Total (all ranks):
January 1996	33
January 1997	35
January 1998	31
January 1999	36

I have also been informed by the Garda authorities that the superintendent attached to Coolock Garda station retired on 8 May 2000 and that it is expected that a superintendent will be appointed with responsibility for Coolock early next month.