I am informed by the Garda authorities responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources that the Laragh, Glendalough and Roundwood areas of County Wicklow are policed by gardaí attached to Rathdrum and Roundwood Garda stations.
The personnel strength, all ranks, of the Rathdrum, Roundwood and Enniskerry Garda stations, as at 18 March 2005 was as set out in this table
Station
|
Strength
|
Rathdrum
|
4
|
Roundwood
|
4
|
Enniskerry
|
5
|
There is a patrol vehicle attached to each of the Garda stations at Enniskerry, Rathdrum and Roundwood.
I am further informed that Garda management for the Wexford-Wicklow division is satisfied with the policing arrangements in the Roundwood-Rathdrum areas. Similarly, management in the Dublin east division is satisfied with policing arrangements in the Enniskerry area. A number of successful crime prevention and detection initiatives have been undertaken in the above areas in the recent past.
On Garda resources generally, I am 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 agreed programme for Government commitment 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.
The Commissioner will now draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of Enniskerry, Rathdrum and Roundwood Garda stations will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. Clearly, 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. I have already promised 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.