Tom Hayes
Question:195 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he plans to increase Garda presence or to install closed circuit television cameras to deal with crime in Clonmel, County Tipperary. [30596/04]
View answerWednesday, 24 November 2004
Questions (194, 195)
Tom Hayes
Question:196 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he plans to increase Garda presence or to install closed circuit television cameras to deal with crime in Tipperary town. [30597/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, that the personnel strengths, including all ranks, of Clonmel and Tipperary town Garda stations as at 23 November 2004 were 38 and 34 respectively.
The number of Garda personnel assigned to Clonmel and to Tipperary town, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.
In regard to Garda resources generally, I am pleased to say the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with the commitment in this regard in An Agreed Programme for Government. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force. The commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these resources.
Additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identified, in particular, areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to significantly increase the number of Garda allocated to traffic duties. have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front-line, operational, high-visibility policing where they will have a real impact.
As the Deputy is aware, Clonmel is included in phase 3 of the Garda CCTV programme as one of the towns set to receive a town centre CCTV system. Installation of Garda CCTV systems is of necessity a detailed, complex and lengthy process. The Garda authorities are giving careful consideration to a restructuring of the manner in which these Garda CCTV systems go to tender with a view to delivering the implementation of these CCTV systems in a faster, more efficient and cost effective manner.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda CCTV advisory committee which was established by the Garda Commissioner to advise on all matters relating to CCTV systems, has not received an application for the installation of a Garda CCTV system in Tipperary town.