Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
717 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will initiate a comprehensive review of the policing needs of Tallaght, Dublin 24; if he will include in that review consideration of the Garda Síochána needs of Tallaght; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1074/05]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 of January 2005 was 172, all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 1 January 1998 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 39, or 29.3%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since that date.
In relation to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very pleased that 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 An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.
I am advised that local Garda management report that a high-profile policing operation is currently in place in Tallaght. This operation is carefully targeting areas of serious anti-social behaviour, burglaries, robberies, cash in transit and licensed premises. All major shopping centres are closely policed.
During 2004 the public parks policing project met on a number of occasions to discuss serious incidents of anti-social behaviour in public parks and other open spaces. This project involves parks personnel of South Dublin County Council, park rangers, community representatives and gardaí. I am advised that this project has proven to be very successful in reducing the level of incidents in such areas, and that community representatives have endorsed this success at the project meetings. As part of this project, gardaí have targeted specific black spots where large groups have caused trouble for residents and, in particular, the Garda mountain bike unit has proven of huge benefit to the policing of these areas.
I am further informed that Tallaght community gardai are also committed to the RAPID project which tackles social exclusion in west Tallaght. In addition, Garda clinics are currently in place in Killinarden, Jobstown and Fettercairn-Brookfield, for one hour each week. These clinics are a joint venture between gardaí and South Dublin County Council personnel attached to the housing allocation unit with the four estate management teams. The area is policed with eight community gardaí with ful-time responsibility for west Tallaght. They are assisted by other units in policing the area on a 24-hour basis. All communities are kept up to date on general policing, crime and public order issues.
Garda personnel deployments throughout the country, 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 service is provided to the public. I am advised that local Garda management are satisfied that the current resources available in Tallaght are sufficient to deal with the policing demands of the district. Resources are augmented from within the district-division as required and the area is also patrolled by the district detective unit and divisional traffic unit as required.
However, the situation will be kept under review and the policing needs of Tallaght will continue to be fully considered within the context of the overall needs of Garda districts and divisions throughout the country. The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. Clearly, of course, the additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies 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 very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
