Seanad Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 160 No. 13

Adjournment Matters. - Garda Stations.

Mrs. Jackman

My motion is addressed specifically to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, requesting him to consider the establishment of a Garda station in Castletroy, County Limerick, in light of the increased population. It is the second time I have raised this over a period of time. On the first occasion, the Minister said that he would keep the matter under review.

One could say that Castletroy is the largest town by far in County Limerick. Its population is approximately 20,000 people at this time, which would be inclusive of about 10,000 students attending the University of Limerick. In the light of residential density guidelines, planning applications are well in excess of 1,000, which means that, on a regular basis, one finds more and more applications for new housing in the area. I put the question of the Garda station within the context of population criteria. There is not a town in Ireland with a population of 20,000 people that has no Garda station with a sizable number of gardaí.

I am glad to say that there has been a 20 per cent reduction in crime levels in the Limerick area but I do not necessarily believe that a Garda station exists specifically because of high crime rates in a particular area. A Garda station is necessary for many reasons. The last time I raised this issue there were representations from Dr. Roger Downer, the President of the University of Limerick, where there are 10,000 students. They were some of his first statements when he became the new president of the university and the students and staff signed a petition to the Minister to consider the establishment of a Garda station.

There is a large number of young people in the area. Apart from the student population, the National Technological Park contains the significant population of 2,000 young workers in Dell who are not just on a nine-to-five shift but come and go throughout the night. Inclusive of the 750 staff members of the University of Limerick, the National Technological Park has 4,500 employees, a huge number.

There is also a high expectation from the people of Castletroy that the establishment of a Garda station is imminent. I have been campaigning for quite some time to ensure that there should be one. A station is expected in the light of a new secondary school in the area which will be ready for occupancy in September 2000. The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Martin, will be in Limerick on Monday to meet the board of management.

It stands to reason that a large population including the National Technological Park, the university, significant residential areas and a shopping centre – with Senator Quinn about to launch a new Superquinn branch in the area – needs a Garda station, the only missing link. Lim erick County Council has had the foresight to provide for a new library within the complex in which Senator Quinn will have his supermarket. Infrastructure is slowly and surely taking off and the one missing link is the Garda station. I am concerned, in light of the rapid development in the area, whether there would be a site available for a Garda station if a decision to establish one were to be made tomorrow morning. There are areas that could accommodate it but the area is being developed to a very high density. This does not necessarily suit Castletroy as we are getting too many houses and too much development.

Though I am delighted with reports of the drop in crime, it does not necessarily mean that there could not be an upward surge any day. There can be many nuisances and public order offences where there is a high concentration of young people. One also has petty crime, burglaries and a significant amount of unreported crime. I ask the Minister, in the light of increased public expectation of a Garda station, to provide that missing link to ensure that the population of Castletroy will enjoy an element of security.

I welcome the initiatives in the area by the Garda. I know they are going through a review of their operations with a strong emphasis on community policing, to ensure that the garda is recognised and respected as a figure of authority as he was in the past.

Prevention is easier than dealing with problems that emerge when crime is rampant and I hope the Minister will be pro-active in taking everything I have said into account and ensuring that we will have that necessary service in the Castletroy area. The current population has surpassed projections in the Castletroy development plan and a realistic assessment of its size is 20,000. The area is small and it requires a Garda presence, perhaps as a deterrent but also as a service provider, especially given the scale of the traffic resulting from the increase in population. An example of the increase is a planning application for 399 units which could result in up to another 800 cars in the area.

Garda stations do not only have a function in dealing with crime. They are an integral part of the infrastructure of any town. I hope the Minister of State will compare Castletroy to any other town of similar size because this would emphasise the need for a Garda station for an area which is undergoing tremendous change. I hope it will be positive change, especially in view of the employment opportunities, the university, the high density residential area and the proposed secondary school.

Mr. Davern

I apologise on behalf of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who is unable to be here because of a previous commitment. I am tempted to say to the Senator "12 o'clock and not a head struck yet".

Mrs. Jackman

I thought the Minster of State might say that. He put that in the context of County Tipperary. I do not know if it extended across the county border.

Mr. Davern

I am sorry to hear Senator Jackman disown her past and her history.

Mrs. Jackman

Not really.

Mr. Davern

The Senator will recall that I responded to a similar motion in the House last December. I am also pleased to respond to this Adjournment matter. The House will be aware that this Government and I are especially committed to the fight against crime. To tackle crime in all its forms, from minor offences to the most serious forms of organised criminal activity, it is vital that the Garda Síochána has the necessary resources to carry out its duties.

When the Government took office the strength of the force was approximately 10,800. The target is to increase this strength to 12,000 by the end of 2002. The projected strength of the force at the end of this year is 11,500 and 11,650 at the end of 2000. Since taking office the Government has approved the recruitment of 550 Garda trainees in each of the years 1998 and 1999 and on 1 June last it approved the recruitment of 500 recruits for 2000. A new Garda recruitment competition was advertised in June and recruitment in 2000 is expected to bring the strength of the force to approximately, 11,850 at the end of 2001. The need for further recruitment beyond 2000 to meet the Government commitment will be kept under regular review.

While the Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, it is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to provide these resources, in as far as it is practicable to do so. The Senator will appreciate that resources are finite and there is a limit to what can reasonably be provided in any area – including policing. It is incumbent on all of us, therefore, to make efficient use of all resources.

The public has a high expectation of policing, which is a result of the great work carried out by the Garda Síochána in the ongoing fight against crime. In this context it is not surprising that requests are regularly received from residents and community groups throughout the country for additional gardaí in their areas.

The Senator asks me to consider the establishment of a Garda station in Castletroy in light of the increased population there. The Garda authorities have advised me that the Castletroy area is situated in the Limerick city north division. The policing of it is divided between the sub-stations of Henry Street and Castleconnell. Henry Street Garda station is open to the public on a 24 hour basis. Recent research indicates that crime in the district was down 19 per cent between 1991 and 1998 and while the population increased by 3.5 per cent between 1991 and 1996, unemployment is down 18.8 per cent over the same period. The downward trend in crime is continuing this year.

The University of Limerick caters for approximately 10,000 students. During peak periods, such as rag week, pre-Christmas and post-examinations, a number of extra gardaí are deployed on foot patrol to deal with any public order related offences. Two community gardaí are assigned to the Castletroy area. They operate Campus Watch with the students, the university authorities and local residents' associations. There is a temporary office, a Garda clinic, on campus one day a week to cater for student requirement and to liaise with student union representatives and college authorities in addressing complaints from residents and other interested parties.

In view of earlier research this year regarding the establishment of a Garda station at Castletroy and based on the current crime, population and other figures the Garda authorities advise me that they consider there is no justification for the establishment of a Garda station at Castletroy. That position remains unchanged. I am also assured by the Garda authorities that the policing situation in Castletroy is being monitored constantly and that the needs of the Limerick division will be considered in conjunction with all the divisions throughout the country when resources next become available. Any views or observations the Senator would like to make in relation to this matter would, of course, be welcome.

Mrs. Jackman

The Minister of State has largely repeated what was said previously. The Minister misses the point that this is not merely a community. There is a population of 20,000. A Garda station should be proactive and should not be seen merely as a deterrent. It is too late to address matters when crime figures increase. It is a necessary part of an area's infrastructure. The Minister of State referred to the reduction in crime levels. The Garda is reviewing operations in the area. It is important to note that there is unreported crime, petty crime and traffic problems.

Policing of the University of Limerick occurs during events such as rag week. Community gardaí work extremely hard when dealing with such events, as is usually the case when large numbers of young people are involved. I hope the Minister will look again at the population figures and reconsider the justification for a Garda station in the area.

The Seanad adjourned at 5.35 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 10 November 1999.