asked the Minister for Justice if it is his intention to erect a Garda Station in the Cherry Orchard area of Ballyfermot (details supplied) as there is an urgent need for it.
Written Answers. - Cherry Orchard (Dublin) Garda Station Proposal.
573.
Limerick East): I am informed by the Garda authorities that, following consultation with the local Garda officers, they consider that the provision of a Garda station in the Cherry Orchard area would not be warranted at present and that the current arrangement whereby the area is served from Ballyfermot station makes the best use of Garda resources. Apart from any other consideration, the provision of a separate station at Cherry Orchard would absorb additional Garda manpower on station manning duties, thus reducing the number of members available for outdoor patrol duty which is most important in the prevention and detection of crime.
The Garda authorities state that foot and mobile patrols from Ballyfermot station are operated to the maximum extent possible in the Cherry Orchard area and that the opening of the new station at Ronanstown earlier this year has enabled an improved Garda service to be provided in the Ballyfermot Garda district generally. They propose to assign an additional Garda to Ballyfermot station from the next group of recruit gardaí who are due to complete their training on 7 June and to keep the policing arrangements for Cherry Orchard and the other areas served from the station under review.