Vol. 542 No. 2
464 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether good policing would be better served if the Palmerstown area, Dublin 20, was to be serviced by either Ballyfermot or Ronanstown Garda stations and not by both as at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24247/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that Kennelsfort Road, which runs from Coldcut Road to Palmerstown Village, is the boundary between the L and Q districts. As one travels towards Palmerstown from Ballyfermot the right-hand side of the road is covered by Ballyfermot Garda station while the left hand side of the road is covered by Ronanstown Garda station. Kennelsfort Road is the natural and most suitable boundary between the two districts.
I have been further informed that, in policing terms, being on the border of two districts, as Palmerstown is, greatly increases the level of policing in the area. Ballyfermot station has a community garda assigned to its part of Palmerstown and Ronanstown has two community gardaí assigned to its area. Uniformed and unmarked mobiles from both stations patrol the area regularly. If a matter requiring Garda attention occurs the members deal with it regardless of what side of the road it occurs on.
On Thursday, Friday, Saturday nights, both stations deploy a public order van which contains two members each to deal with breaches of public order as they arise. Should a serious breach occur in the Palmerstown area, both vans can respond to the situation as well as patrol cars from Ballyfermot and Ronanstown Stations. The Garda further informs me that these arrangements are working well in the context of providing an efficient policing service.
