asked the Minister for Justice when he proposes to provide a Garda station in Donaghmede, Dublin 13.
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Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donaghmede (Dublin) Garda Station.
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asked the Minister for Justice when a Garda station will be provided in the Donaghmede area of Dublin.
(Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
Donaghmede is one of a number of areas in and around Dublin where there is a local demand for the establishment of a Garda station. The difficulty about providing extra Garda stations, apart from the high capital costs involved, is that manning them absorbs Garda manpower which might be used more effectively on patrol duty in the areas concerned.
The Donaghmede area is at present served by Coolock and Raheny Garda stations. Since 30 June 1982 there has been a net increase in garda strength at both these stations of 17 and six, respectively. Four newly trained gardaí will be assigned to Coolock next week and further increases in strength at both stations will be considered according as the additional manpower at present in training becomes available for assignment to the various centres.
The Garda authorities have informed me that the assignment of extra gardaí to Coolock and Raheny stations has enabled them to provide additional foot and mobile patrols in the Donaghmede area. The policing arrangements for the area will be kept under review with a view to effecting further improvements in the Garda service according as additional manpower becomes available. The provision of an improved Garda service in the whole area served by Coolock and Raheny stations may obviate the need for a new station in Donaghmede. Accordingly, there is no proposal at present to provide a Garda station in the area, but the Deputies can be assured that the situation will be kept under review by the Garda authorities.
I am sure the Minister is aware of the detailed submissions made by the community in Donaghmede to his predecessor and to himself. Would he not agree, whilst, heretofore, communities and individuals have been attempting to discourage Garda presence from their areas there is a very welcome and healthy development here? The community are anxious to invite and encourage the Garda to come among them and stay among them. Whilst I commend the Minister's decision to allocate four additional personnel to Coolock and his predecessor's decision to allocate ten to 12 additional personnel is he aware that there is a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment in this area at the seeming inability of the Garda, notwithstanding their constant vigilance and commitment to duty, to deal with this situation very effectively?
(Limerick East): I did not hear a question.
Is the Minister aware that there is a sense of hopelessness and disillusionment among the people of this community? Would he not commend their initiative in inviting the Garda to come among them as this is a very healthy development for an urban community?
Sometimes the questions get lost in long explanatory statements.
(Limerick East): I am aware that many communities are seriously concerned about crime and vandalism in their communities. I accept what the Deputy says, that the people in Donaghmede are also concerned. Garda strengths have been increased in Coolock and Raheny from 31 December 1980 to 11 February 1983. The Garda strength in Coolock has gone from 78 to 97 and in Raheny from 50 to 56. The Garda authorities are aware of the problems and the situation is being kept constantly under review.
I understand that the Coolock gardaí in the main are servicing this area. They are servicing an area bigger than the Minister's native city of Limerick, an area with a far greater incidence of crime and with far greater complexities in terms of the socio-economic groupings and where there is a much greater population of young people and a greater incidence of unemployment.
(Limerick East): I do not fully accept the Deputy's population figures. It is a fact that the greater part of Donaghmede is served by Coolock station, which is the district headquarters, and the remainder is served by Raheny station. There is a problem in the greater Dublin area, which has been met by previous Ministers for Justice. A total of 350 new recruits have been allocated to stations in the DMA since mid-August 1982.
Could I ask the Minister——
This is positively the final supplementary.
With all due respect, this is largely a developing and expanding area of the north side and there is extreme concern there in relation to lawlessness notwithstanding the commitment of the Garda. Would the Minister again look closely at this situation as quickly as possible with a view to giving a commitment to build a Garda station to allay the fears and anxiety which are very prevalent there?
(Limerick East): Many of the new gardaí assigned to both stations are recruits and these operate on the new rostering system which provides a greater coverage of gardaí on the ground in the area. The Garda authorities are aware of the problems and are looking after them.