Vol. 254 No. 6
asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that some married country members of the Special Detective Unit are transferred for periods of two months on special duties in Dublin; and that this causes hardship because, inter alia, the subsistence allowance payable is meagre; and, if he will make a statement in the matter.
39.
asked the Minister for Justice the present strength of the Special Detective Unit; if an effort was made recently to recruit further members; and, if so, the number of applicants and the number called for interview.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
It would be contrary to established practice and it would not be in the public interest to give any indication of either the present or the future strength of the Special Detective Unit. As regards transfers, these are a normal part of every garda's conditions of service. The present rates of subsistence are those agreed through the Garda conciliation and arbitration machinery.
Is the Minister aware of the grave concern not alone in Dublin but throughout the country because there are neither sufficient gardaí nor detectives to ensure that crime does not increase? Is the Minister aware of the increase in crime at present and of the fact that in many cases there are not enough police even to investigate crimes when they are reported?
The question refers to transfers and subsistence allowances.
That would be a separate question.
