(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice if he considers the present number of gardaí attached to Kevin Street Garda station, Dublin, sufficient to police the area effectively.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Garda Strength.
6.
The allocation of gardaí to particular stations is a matter for the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. I am informed that the number of gardaí of all ranks attached to Kevin Street Station is now 127, ten more than this time last year, and that the Commissioner is considering the allocation of extra gardaí to the station.
(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware of the continuous problem of vandalism in this district in the past number of months? Is he further aware that in one block of flats employees of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs have refused to deliver telegrams because their telegraph boys have been beaten up? Would he ensure that more patrol men will be made available to this district? I should like to say——
This is not a question.
(Dublin Central): I should like to give all credit to the Garda in Kevin Street who have done everything possible to police this area, but they are completely understaffed.
I have to be advised by the Garda Commissioner as to the number of police required in any particular area. I can say to the Deputy this is an area which is getting particular attention from the Commissioner. As indicated in my reply, there are ten extra gardaí there this year by comparison with last year and the Commissioner is considering the allocation of more men there. I am glad to tell the Deputy that the figures for the first nine months of this statistical year indicate that indictable crime, whatever about petty theft and vandalism, is showing a decrease.
(Dublin Central): Is the Minister aware that in one block of flats they have set up their own vigilante committee to protect their wives and families against assaults by this crowd of gangsters who are roaming the city?
I am not so aware and I would deprecate the provision of private armies in any area of the City. I will certainly draw the attention of the Commissioner——
(Dublin Central): I did not say “private armies”.
The distinction is very fine between vigilante groups and private armies. Although I sympathise with the motives which brought these so-called vigilantes into existence, I deprecate it as a not very encouraging development.
(Dublin Central): I agree entirely with the Minister but when a community are forced to establish these groups what can they do?
I deprecate the increase in this kind of petty crime in some parts of the country, particularly in this city. All I can say to the Deputy is that the Commissioner is well aware of the problem. He is the professional in charge of this matter. He has allocated extra gardaí to the area and he is keeping the matter under review and is considering the allocation of even still more gardaí. I have already invited the Deputy to meet the deputy commissioner in charge of the metropolitan area. If the Deputy takes up that invitation he can put specific complaints to the deputy commissioner.
(Dublin Central): Would the Minister be prepared to meet a deputation when he could get first hand knowledge of what is taking place in this district?
As the Deputy knows from my letter to him, I have indicated that the proper person for him to meet is the deputy commissioner who is in charge of the metropolitan area. If I were to meet a deputation I should be only passing on second hand information which the Deputy could give first hand to the person directly responsible for the police protection of this area.
This has been happening only for the past two months.
Should the Minister not know the size of the problem or learn of it first hand?
When did it start?
This has been happening not only in this block of flats but elsewhere throughout the city.
It is important that I should know the details of this problem first hand and I will inform myself of the details from the Garda authorities who are the best persons to brief me on it.
(Dublin Central): I have been trying to say that this does not apply specifically to only this block of flats. Right through the city at the moment vandalism is rampant and I should like to know has the Minister any plan to deal with it?
It is regrettable that vandalism, in so far as one can judge from the public press, seems to be fairly prevalent. The exact statistical incidence of it is something that cannot be established. I do not agree with the Deputy's suggestion that this is now a city of rampant vandalism.
7.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice the present numerical strength of the Garda Síochána in the Dublin metropolitan area.
The present Garda strength in the Dublin metropolitan area is 2,644.
Can the Minister tell us what the strength of the Garda force was this time yast year and the previous year?
The strength of the force last year was 2,409. I have not got the figures for the previous year.
I agree that there has been a big improvement in the Garda force due to the previous Minister, Deputy O'Malley.
I want to help the Deputy to elucidate information but he must help the Chair by asking a specific question.
Would the Minister give an estimate of what he considers to be desirable for the policing of the city?
I am not competent or qualified to give an estimate as to what is desirable. This is a matter for the officers of the Garda Síochána and it is on their advice that recruitment for the Garda has been brought to its present strength.
Could the Minister inform the House as to the increase in the Garda in this area since the Government took office?
The question relates to the numerical strength of the Garda in Dublin. I have no figures to indicate that.
Question No. 8.
Has the Minister got any advice as to what the desirable strength of the Garda in Dublin should be?
I have not got any specific advice as to what is the optimum number of Garda required in Dublin city. The present Garda strength is 2,664, which represents an increase of 200 odd over last year.
8.
(Dublin Central) asked the Minister for Justice the number of squad cars available to the gardaí serving in the Dublin metropolitan area.
Forty three cars are available, full time, as district patrol cars, popularly known as "squad cars", but cars assigned to other work may be called on for patrol work if the need arises.