(Limerick-East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 28 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the incidence of crime in the Tallaght area and the problem involving the driving of stolen cars at high speed through the various housing estates are of particular concern and a number of measures have been taken to deal with the situation.
Four additional gardaí were assigned to Tallaght station on 11 February, bringing to 24 the total number of extra gardaí allocated there since mid-September, 1982. The assignment of these gardaí to a revised rostering system is making the maximum number of personnel available for duty at the times when the demand for Garda services is greatest. Apart from foot and mobile patrols by the local gardaí, the Tallaght area is receiving regular attention from special patrols operated by the Crime Task Force based at Dublin Castle.
The effectiveness of the measures taken to combat crime in the Tallaght area will be kept under review by the Garda authorities and the manpower needs of the area will be further considered according as additional gardaí complete their training in the coming months. I understand that there are no proposals at present to allocate additional official transport to Tallaght station but this matter will also be kept under review by the Garda authorities.