Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
704 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will order a high-level review of Garda strength and resources at Tallaght Garda Station, Dublin 24; if his attention has been drawn to the clear need to take immediate action in respect of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11426/04]
View answer705 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the numbers of gardaí assigned to the Tallaght Garda station; and the way in which these numbers have developed over the past five years. [11427/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 704 and 705 together.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 26 April 2004 was 164 across all ranks. This represents an increase of 22, or 15.5%, in the personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since 31 December 1999. These resources are further augmented by the divisional traffic unit based in Terenure, and the Garda dog, air support and mounted units, which are utilised from time to time.
At present 20 community gardaí are allocated to ten specific neighbourhoods in Tallaght covering 43 neighbourhood watch schemes. The strength of each community police unit is reviewed periodically. There are three Garda youth diversion projects in the Tallaght Garda district namely: KEY, Key to Engaging Youth, Killinarden, Fettercairn and Glenshane; JAY, Jobstown Action for Youth; and YEW, Youth Enhancement in Whitechurch. A divisional crime prevention officer attached to Tallaght Garda station operates within the boundaries of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (South) Division. One Sergeant and four gardaí are assigned JLO duties in the Tallaght Garda district.
Some 19 marked and unmarked vehicles are allocated to Tallaght Garda station. Local management is satisfied that resources at Tallaght are sufficient to police the sub-district. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of Tallaght Garda station will be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.
In addition Tallaght is also one of 17 locations set to receive town centre CCTV systems. Garda CCTV systems are an aid to existing Garda resources and must be viewed in the context of overall policing and carefully planned and integrated into Garda operational procedures. They are not, nor are they intended to be, a replacement for gardaí on patrol.
