Vol. 359 No. 3
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the increase in crime in the urban Dublin area; the action, if any, he intends taking to deal with the matter by providing the Garda with extra equipment, technology and manpower; and if he will make a general policy statement in relation to the problem.
6.
asked the Minister for Justice the action he has taken recently to curb the alarming number of muggings and attacks on the elderly, house breakings and robberies; and if he is aware of the increased frustration and anger felt by residents in this regard.
7.
asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the widespread anxiety in small villages and rural areas at the increasing levels of crime and vandalism in these areas; if he will undertake an immediate review of Garda strength, provision of resources, equipment and so on for the Garda; and if he will make a statement to allay the fears of the rural communities of a possible breakdown of law and order.
(Limerick East): Since Question Nos. 5, 6 and 7 relate to aspects of the same problem, I propose to take them together.
I would point out to the Deputies that Garda statistics for 1984 show that there was a decrease of 2.6 per cent in the number of indictable offences recorded for the whole country over 1983 and that there was a reduction in the recorded crime in the Dublin Metropolitan area of some 4.8 per cent. In drawing attention to these figures, however, I am not to be taken as implying that the problem is not still a serious one, nor would I wish to minimise the concern which I know exists throughout the community about it; but I think it is important to point out that the assumption underlying Question No. 5 is not correct.
I do not think it is reasonable that I should be expected to make policy statements — which would necessarily have to be comprehensive in relation to what is essentially a complex matter — in response to parliamentary questions, all the more so since I dealt very fully with the measures I am taking to deal with crime in replying to a motion on the matter in this House on 20 March 1985. However, I cannot accept the implication contained in Question Nos. 5 and 7 that the Garda Síochána are not reasonably supplied with modern equipments or that there is any inadequacy in the technological capability of the force that is not currently being dealt with. I dealt with this matter specifically and also with the question of manpower in the context of the motion I have already referred to and I would invite the Deputies' attention to what I said then.
In relation to attacks on the elderly, I dealt in some detail with the measures being taken by the Garda Síochána to deal with this problem so far as it relates to attacks on the homes of elderly people living in rural areas in the written reply which I gave on 12 March last to a Private Notice Question. That reply is in column 1995 of the Official Report for 12 March 1985. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there has been a considerable decrease in the incidence of attacks on elderly persons in recent months. A number of persons have been changed in relation to these attacks and the Garda are still pursuing a number of inquiries which it is hoped will lead to further charges and bring more of the persons concerned to Justice.
With regard to crimes such as household burglaries and vandalism, the Government have, as I recently announced, allocated funds for the promotion of the neighbourhood watch scheme which is a scheme principally aimed at the prevention of these types of crime.
In accepting that the Minister has taken some steps in this regard I should like to ask him if he accepts that the moves to date have not been very successful and that a new approach is needed. In one area in my constituency there were 50 break-ins in a housing estate of 100 houses and in view of that I should like to ask the Minister if he will accept that the steps taken to date have not worked? Will he accept that the difficulty persists on our streets and that he, as Minister for Justice, will have to try harder?
(Limerick East): I believe that the measures being taken are working. We have a lower amount of serious crime here than in any other country in western Europe. In Dublin we have a lower incidence of serious crime than in any comparable city in western Europe or North America. There are two areas of particular concern, the unauthorised taking of vehicles, car stealing, and burglary and larceny. Those areas are of great concern. The measures taken on car stealing have been working very effectively. In the first four months of this year, despite the public attention and the amount of publicity about the matter, the incidence of car stealing in the country as a whole was down by 20 per cent and in Dublin it was down by about 30 per cent. In the last three or four weeks there has not been any incident brought to my notice of the ramming of Garda cars. That, for the moment, is under control.
However, as the Deputy pointed out, there is one area of concern, the area of larceny, the breaking into houses. Certain houses are more vulnerable than others, houses where one might be likely to find consumer goods, where both spouses are working and the houses is empty during the day, or houses left unoccupied while people are on holidays for a number of weeks. The new scheme of neighbourhood watch will be very effective in that regard. We can do more to deal with larceny and burglary by concentrating on crime prevention rather than exclusively concentrating on crime detection.
In my question I did not query the Minister on the efficacy of the equipment, technology or manpower but asked for extra equipment, technology and manpower, Can the Minister help in that regard? Garda associations have been calling for extra equipment, technology and manpower and in view of that I should like to know if it is the Minister's intention to put more gardaí on the streets of Dublin city and county, give the Garda extra equipment and make more technology available to them.
(Limerick East): The Government have decided that the strength of the force will be maintained at 11,400. In the national plan the Government are committed to maintaining that number to 1987. It is also the policy of the commissioner, with which I am fully in agreement, to deploy more gardaí in uniform on the streets. He has been doing that. The increase in the force from 1980-81 was about 700 and about 650 of that number were put on the beat in Dublin. On the question of equipment, I believe that the type of equipment the Deputy has in mind is of a technological nature and, therefore, I do not think it is a separate question to ask about the technology. A new national communications network is being provided for the Garda Síochána. It has been installed in the Garda divisions outside Dublin. It will be switched on nationally as soon as the appropriate checking out has taken place to ensure that the equipment is fully satisfactory and that we are not accepting liability for something that is not fully satisfactory. That is in hand. It will be dealt with in a matter of weeks.
The position with regard to the DMA Garda divisions is that I have signed, on behalf of the Government, a contract for £2 million to put a very modern radio equipment facility into the DMA. There are also major improvements in computerisation in the Garda Síochána taking place. In the last six months visual display units were installed in 18 divisional headquarters and some other major stations outside the DMA as well as in nine of the busiest stations in the DMA so as to provide direct links to the Garda Computer at headquarters in the depot. Computerised Garda systems, for example, for criminal records, stolen vehicles and firearms records, are continuously under review and being improved so as to better serve the needs of the force. Hand in hand with the development of major technological systems the force are being equipped with a wide range of miscellaneous equipment including specialised police equipment, office and training equipment. Every effort is being made to provide new equipment where necessary to meet changing needs in crime prevention and detection techniques.
As the Deputy is aware, a new indoor firing range is now ready at the depot and will be in use within a week or two. A site for a new outdoor firing range has been acquired and work is progressing. It should be in use at the end of the year. Quite an amount is happening and a lot of new equipment has been provided or is in the process of being provided.
The Minister must be aware of the unprecendented high level of attacks on elderly people who live in isolated rural areas. Is he aware of the anxiety in rural communities due to an apparent breakdown in law and order? Is the Minister aware that some very violent attacks have been made on old people, in some cases resulting in death, and that in those attacks axes, iron bars and other items were used to gain access to premises? Is the Minister aware that the Garda appear to be inadequately equipped to deal with the problem, particularly in rural areas? It is alleged that they have faulty and antiquated radio equipment, that there is a shortage of squad cars in rural areas and that the closure of rural stations is a major factor in the increase in rural crime? Will the Minister give an indication to the House of the extent of crime in rural areas? Will he confirm that in the first three months of 1985, of the 65 or more serious crimes against elderly people less than five have been resolved?
(Limerick East): Obviously, the Deputy's question was tabled at a time when a big number of attacks on elderly people took place, particularly in the west. Specific measures taken by the Garda Síochána to combat such attacks have been reasonably successful. There has been a major decrease in the incidence of attacks in recent months. As the Deputy is aware, special Garda centres were set up in Roscommon and Sligo in December where staff from the technical bureau were co-ordinating investigations. At that time there was a spate of attacks in the north-west. Those centres proved successful and the level of attacks dropped significantly. Arrangements were made with community groups such as Muintir na Tíre, the IFA and so on for special supervision of the homes of elderly people living alone. Advice on precautionary measures is given on “Garda Patrol”, in the local press and on community radio programmes. When there was another spate of attacks in the spring time, similar units were put into other counties in the west and they proved successful. The Garda say that the incidence of attacks has decreased very much in recent months. I am sure the Deputy is aware that a number of arrests have been made and some people are due to appear before the courts. I do not wish to say much more about that.
I understand that many cases of attacks have not been reported and while the number of attacks may have eased there is still widespread anxiety, particularly in winter time.
This is a statement and not a question arising out of the Minister's reply.
I should like to draw the Minister's attention to the fact that in isolated rural areas problems have arisen because of the closure of stations and the lack of squad cars and modern radio equipment. The radio equipment being used is totally inadequate. Modern Equipment must be provided now.
That is not a question.
Modern radio equipment is essential if there is to be any possibility of covering the activities of these ruthless wheelers and dealers who are roaming around the country.
(Limerick East): I have already dealt with the provision of radio equipment. The new equipment will be switched on within a matter of days. With regard to the Deputy's statement that rural Garda stations have been closed I should like to point out that no Garda station was closed since I became Minister. Indeed, no Garda station in rural Ireland was closed during the term of office of my three predecessors. I understand that it is about 14 years since a Garda station was closed in rural Ireland. I ask the Deputy not to continue with suggestions that stations in rural Ireland are being closed.
The provision of an adequate number of cars is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. There is a transport vote in the Garda Vote, which is a block vote. He approves the purchase of whatever cars he thinks appropriate. My information is that a lack of equipment is not a factor inhibiting the Garda in any way in dealing with attacks on the elderly.
While, as the Minister said, it may be correct statistically that Garda stations in rural areas have not been closed, the manning levels have been drastically reduced and this has the same effect as closing the stations. I ask the Minister to comment on the infamous green box which has replaced the garda in the stations. This equipment is no substitute for a member of the Garda Síochána. Has the Minister any plans to reestablish the traditional neighbourhood Garda patrols particularly in our towns? A contributory factor to the present deteriorating situation in urban areas is the fact that the Garda and the community no longer identify with each other.
(Limerick East): It is true that in our larger urban areas there has been a breakdown in the cohesiveness which existed traditionally in communities. Obviously if the cohesiveness of a community is looser than it was then the relationship between the community and the local gardaí will be looser as well. I do The policy of the commissioner is to put the same gardaí on the same beat as weeks go by, so that they will build up a relationship with the local people. Also, a number of community gardaí have been appointed in particular housing estates. That has proved very successful and a close relationship is being re-established between the Garda and the community. As well as having a good relationship between the individual citizen and the individual number of the force, it is important that there be a formalised relationship between communities and the Garda Síochána. I hope the extension of the neighbourhood watch scheme, which formalises that relationship to prevent crime, will be very helpful and will restore the traditional relationship between the Garda and the communities.
No rural stations have been closed. The transfer of gardaí and the development of the gardaí is a matter for the commissioner. I do not have figures available now for individual Garda stations, but I recently looked at figures for the divisions in the west where there was a problem, because attacks on the elderly. There was no decrease in the number of gardaí in any of the divisions along the west coast — as a matter of fact there was a marginal increase, less than ten. The number of gardaí in Mayo, Sligo or Donegal was at least as high as it was in 1980. It is not true to say that a large number of gardaí have been taken out of rural Ireland, because they have not.
The Minister said there is a lower incidence of serious crime. That is heartening to hear but it is no consolation to those who have been affected by crime. The Minister said that, according to the plan Building on Reality, 11,400 was to be the maximum number of gardaí in the force. How many gardaí are in the force at present? What percentage of that number are on the beat, particularly in the city and county of Dublin?
(Limerick East): I cannot give an accurate figure of those in the force at present because people retire prematurely without notice or die in service, but the Deputy can take it that it is within two dozen of 11,400. There is no fall-back on that figure. We simply await the next group coming out of Templemore to bring it up to 11,400. I cannot give a percentage of the number of gardaí on the beat, but of the whole force approximately 4,000 are in the Dublin Metropolitan Area.
The Minister said that the Garda force had been increased by 700 since 1981. Is he stating that categorically here today? He also said that special facilities had been provided for the Garda in many areas in the west. I would like him to specify clearly what these facilities are and where in Mayo they have been made available to the Garda.
(Limerick East): As I said, the Garda force had been increased by almost 700. On 1 December 1982 the figure stood at 10,642; in January 1983, 10,831; January 1984, 11,232; January 1985, 11,387 and 30 April 1985, 11,368, the latest figure I have in my brief. This figure is not very much lower than 11,400, the figure at which we are trying to keep it. As regards equipment in Mayo, as I understand it, special units were put into the west specifically to deal with attacks on the elderly and discretion was given to local chief superintendents. I do not have any more detailed information than that about County Mayo.
We cannot stay with this group of questions.
Would the Minister agree that the decision to cut back on Garda overtime has had a serious effect on the level of protection, particularly in rural areas? It is no fault of the Garda, but it is not unusual to find Garda stations closed early in the evening and opening relatively late in the day. Does the Minister consider it was in the best interests of law and order to cut back on Garda overtime?
(Limerick East): Obviously any Government expenditure must be quantified and budgeted and we intend keeping Garda overtime at approximately £12 million. In 1983 substantially less than that was spent on overtime but in 1984 more than that was spent because we had two events — the European elections and the visit of President Reagan. General elections and local elections account for a great deal of Garda overtime because the Garda have to man the polling booths until 10 p.m. President Reagan's visit was a special event which will not be repeated this year. We have tried to keep expenditure at approximately the same level for the past three or four years.
