I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that within the DMR north central division, which is the main division responsible for the policing of the Dublin Central constituency and includes the north inner city, a city centre initiative was introduced on 9 June 2003 and involves high visibility policing in the city centre, with particular emphasis on public order incidents, street thefts, begging and vagrancy and shoplifting.
In conjunction with the above initiative a high profile policing operation throughout the DMR north central commenced on 8 November 2004, following an increase in funding granted by my Department. This operation focuses on both the inner city areas and residential areas, with particular emphasis on public order, road traffic issues, burglaries, liquor licensing laws, community policing and cash in transit issues. In order to focus on the above initiative, extra resources by way of extra beat and mobile patrols, both uniform and plain clothes, have been introduced throughout the DMR north central division to reduce the level of crime.
The personnel strength of the Dublin metropolitan region north central division as at 17 November, 2004 was 635 and an additional 29 probationer gardaí are due to be allocated to the north central division on 26 November 2004. Garda personnel assigned to the Dublin Central constituency, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
