asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the escalating crime rate in Dundalk and the amount of robberies in the business and commercial centre of the town; and if he will introduce nightly foot patrols to give protection to property owners.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Dundalk Crime Rate.
8.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that provisional figures show that there was an increase in indictable crime in Dundalk in 1983 and that the incidence of burglaries at business premises was high. However, there are indications that the rate of increase in crime in the area has slowed down.
The precise arrangements for the policing of individual areas are a matter for the Garda authorities and the allocation of manpower between foot patrols and other duties is decided by the local Garda officers having regard to available resources, local circumstances, other demands on Garda services and the time of day or night.
The allocation of 13 additional gardaí to Dundalk over the past 12 months has enabled the patrolling arrangements for the town to be improved and I am informed that uniformed foot patrols operate in the main business area on a 24-hour basis and that mobile patrols are directed to pay special attention to this area. These arrangements will be kept under review and every effort will be made to maintain a high level of patrolling.
Is the Minister aware that Dundalk has the highest crime rate in the country outside of Dublin? Is she aware that the business people in Dundalk despair of receiving help? Is she aware that the business sector in Clanbrassil Street and adjacent areas is now the golden mile for criminals who are entering through the front door and the roof? Does she agree that this is due to the absence of adequate foot patrols? Does she not agree that the provision of 13 Garda officers is entirely inadequate for a town of this size? We want a platoon of Garda officers.
I would like to refer the Deputy to the strength of the Garda in Dundalk. The number of uniformed branch gardaí on 31 December 1981 was 73 and on 29 February 1984 the number was 80. The Dundalk Garda station is the district headquarters and is manned on a 24-hour basis. Foot and mobile patrols operate around the clock and pay special attention to the business area of the town. Mobile patrols by the local detective unit also operate in the town. A total of six cars and a van are allocated to the Dundalk station.
Is the Minister aware that, because of our proximity to the Border, which is only seven miles away, we suffer from a high incidence of cross-Border criminal activity? Does she not agree that because of that and because Dundalk has the second highest crime rate in the country we need increased personnel, particularly on foot patrol?
It was in recognition of this fact that the allocation of 13 additional gardaí was made to this region in the past 12 months.
I take it the Minister is not suggesting that having 13 extra gardaí has led to an increase in crime in this area during that period? She has pointed out that there was an increase in the crime statistics in that area during 1983. She said that it is a matter for the Garda Síochána to deploy staff. Would the Minister not agree that the cutbacks in the availability of the gardaí, which are made by the Minister, greatly affect the availability of gardaí around the clock? While there may be increased numbers the fact that they are not allowed to do overtime and not allowed to be around the community at many of the times they have previously been there has a direct bearing on what is happening not only in that area but in many other areas.
The question is about Dundalk, not about other areas.
There is a similiarity between that area and other areas. Would the Minister agree that the dismantling of the task force in that area along the Border has meant a restriction in their availability and that this relates directly to robberies?
I will stick specifically to the question. I would like to reiterate again that there is the lowest percentage increase in any year since 1980 in this area and this reflects a slowing down of the crime rate in the town.