Vol. 564 No. 5
347 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda Commissioner has advised him of the number of personnel, by rank, and the civilian personnel attached to the Crumlin Garda station, Dublin. [9489/03]
The information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled. I will write to him in due course.
Question No. 348 answered with Question No. 325.
349 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the outcome of any discussions he has had in recent months with the Garda Commissioner in relation to the need to divert more resources to the Crumlin Garda station in Dublin to help tackle crime in that area. [9491/03]
I have been advised by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the day-to-day management of resources, including personnel, that local Garda management is satisfied that the resources currently in place in Crumlin Garda station are adequate to meet the present policing needs of the area. I am further informed that resources are augmented from within the district and division as required. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Crumlin Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda stations throughout the country.
Question No. 350 answered with Question No. 322.
Question No. 351 answered with Question No. 343.
352 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will enquire of the Garda Commissioner the number of gardaí that are detailed to traffic duty in the various Garda divisions. [9494/03]
The information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled and will be forwarded in due course.
353 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will enquire of the Garda Commissioner the number of gardaí detailed to special detective duty in the various garda Divisions; and if there has been a decrease in those numbers since 1998 when the Good Friday Agreement changed the security situation in Ireland. [9495/03]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the current strength of the special detective unit as at 7 April 2003 is 307, all ranks. This represents a decrease of 29 since 31 December 1998. For operational reasons, it is not the commissioner's policy to disclose how individual personnel are deployed.
354 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has asked, or if he would consider asking the Garda Commissioner to reassign members of the Garda special detective unit to help local Garda drug squads to tackle drugs which is the biggest cause of crime in our cities. [9496/03]
The detailed allocation of Garda resources, including the allocation of personnel to various units, is a matter for the Garda authorities.
355 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has asked, or would consider asking the Garda Commissioner to reassign gardaí, the majority of whom are fully trained crime fighters, from traffic duty to tackling in our cities and towns. [9497/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the programme for Government contains a commitment relating to the establishment of a dedicated traffic corps. A consultation process involving the Department of Transport, my Department, and the Garda Síochána in relation to the establishment of such a dedicated traffic corps is currently being progressed. With regard to the day-to-day management of Garda resources, the Deputy will be aware that this is an operational matter for the Garda authorities.
