I want to refer to the reduced Garda strength in the Dún Laoghaire-south Dublin area and the obvious consequences in relation to prevention of crime. It is quite clear, particularly in this area, that there have been many complaints and many representations from constituents who have suffered from house break-ins, damage to shops and various other crimes. People ask where are the gardaí on the ground and they complain that there is no evidence of a Garda presence. There is a security aspect in this and they are reassured by a Garda presence on the streets.
Garda numbers in the general Dún Laoghaire-Dublin south area have fallen over the past few years. This has led to a lack of confidence in people coming forward to report crimes and more crimes are being committed. We need to look at how the various gardaí are employed. On 26 October 1989 the Minister for Justice gave various figures in the Dáil in relation to six Garda stations, namely, Blackrock, Dún Laoghaire, Dalkey, Kill o'the Grange, Cabinteely and Shankill and in five of these Garda stations the numbers have dropped quite significantly even if one only goes back as recently as 1987.
In 1987 in Blackrock station there were 68 garda, which number is now down to 63; in Dún Laoghaire it has dropped from 82 to 74; in Dalkey there has been a slight increase to 30. The number is down to four in Kill o' the Grange, from 33 to 29; it is down by one in Cabinteely and it is down by two in Shankill. That means that there are about 20 fewer gardaí at a time when there is still rampant crime and break-ins.
It is important to remember that while the Minister said there were 74 gardaí in Dún Laoghaire Garda station, which sounds quite good, at any given time the number of gardaí is divided by four, three different rosters and one resting. When one takes into account sick leave and holiday leave, one can see that quite a large area is being looked after by only a few people. When one further takes into consideration the fact that these gardaí have to attend court and some of them have to be on security duty, and various special duties one can see that there are very few garda out on the beat.
When the Minister is discussing the crime situation and security matters with the various Garda personnel, the Commissioner and the various superintendents, I hope he can have these numbers looked at. In a area where there are a lot of security posts there should be a central base for providing gardaí instead of the local Garda station having to be responsible for the posts in that area. In a specified area there could be three extra security posts which obviously deserve security and protection. There should be a base at central level so that if a number of garda in a certain station are tied up on this duty there is a reserve supply able to go out and give protection.
People are concerned that there are not gardaí on the streets, that they are not seen on the beat, that crimes are being committed. When the Garda come along to investigate a break-in they possibly even know who the person involved is and they say "this person has been convicted on so many other counts and there is nothing we can do". The Garda feel at times very overworked. Will the Minister look at the question of providing the necessary overtime? The Minister has made some announcements recently. We have got to look at the whole Dublin area especially the south Dublin area which I represent. People complain that sometimes when an alarm goes off even the criminals know they will have 15 to 20 minutes to escape because the chances are that there is only one squad car in the area and it will take quite a while for the gardaí to arrive.
The Minister should ensure that there is a follow-up to the neighbourhood watch system. It has worked quite well but obviously it needs support and the necessary personnel. Initially there was great enthusiasm and people helped the gardaí. At a later stage there should be a review of how it is operating and maybe a further meeting should be held. What happens is that the gardaí are so tied up on ordinary mundane matters that they find it difficult to go out to talk to the people. In the old days the gardaí knew the people; they even knew the criminals and they were probably at times able to head off situations.
I hope the Minister can increase the number of juvenile liaison officers. We really should be talking about crime prevention and reducing the potential for people to commit crimes by getting to know young trouble-makers who, if they can be helped at an early stage, may be prevented from going on to a life of crime.
When people are convicted and sentenced it is important that they at least serve some of it rather than judges saying there is nowhere to send them. The Minister must look at this whole area with a view to bringing down the crime level. Perhaps statistics will show that there is a decrease in the number of crimes, but when you talk to people whose houses and shops have been robbed it is obvious that crime is still at far too high a level. The people whom we look to to prevent crime, the Garda are getting disillusioned, their numbers are down in some areas and they are obviously not able to cope with the situation.
I would like the Minister to look at the situation where at District Court sittings many gardaí are sitting there waiting for remands, waiting for adjournments. There are more gardaí in the courts than there are outside patrolling the streets. It is important that the gardaí be seen out on the beat, available to the people, knowing what is going on on the ground. In Dublin, and the south Dublin area in particular, it is rare to see a garda on the beat. We must ensure that we have the numbers in these areas. In those six areas I mentioned there is only one area where there is an increase in the 1987 figures. The others are all down. Obviously if they were doing the job well in 1987 the same number of people cannot be doing the job as well, and this is no reflection on the individuals involved. There are fewer people now to do the job, to combat crime and arrest criminals.
A survey was carried out recently in the Dún Laoghaire area and the result was that people want to see gardaí around. They want to be sure that if they ring the Garda station the Garda will react quickly and effectively. The only way that can be done is if there are sufficient numbers. I hope the Minister will give an indication that the numbers in the general Dublin area, and in south Dublin, will be brought back up to the 1987 levels. Numbers have fallen; they must be brought back up to the levels where people will be able to rest easy in their homes. Many old people in these areas have been assaulted with knives and with other implements. People have had their cars damaged, houses broken into and shops raided.
We must ensure that the gardaí win the battle against criminals. The numbers have fallen in recent years. It is false economy to reduce Garda numbers. The savings will treble in other areas with insurance costs, medical bills for people who are injured and various other bills in relation to running the prison service. It is a very serious problem and I ask the Minister to restore the numbers in the general Dún Laoghaire-Dublin south area.
