Vol. 530 No. 3
251 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has any proposals to allocate additional gardaí, particularly community gardaí, to the Dublin 15 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3916/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for allocation of personnel to individual areas, that the present strength of Blanchardstown Garda station is as follows: one chief superintendent, two superintendents, four inspectors, 17 sergeants and 77 gardaí. Of the above personnel, two sergeants and ten gardaí, one of whom is on temporary transfer to Ronanstown station, are assigned to the community policing unit. I am further informed that local Garda management is satisfied that the policing needs of the area are being met. However, the situation will be kept under review and the question of assigning additional manpower will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of all Garda districts.
In relation to crime in the area, I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisional figures for 2000 show an increase of 3% on the previous year, that is, 37 crimes. However, due to initiatives taken by the Garda, crime for the first five weeks of 2001 is down by 124 crimes as compared to the same period last year. Efforts to maintain this decrease are continuing. In particular, additional patrols have been introduced to deal with anti-social behaviour.
