asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí on foot patrol, motor cycle and squad cars who are available in the Oxmanstown Road area, Dublin 7; if he feels that there are adequate Garda patrols for this area, in view of the number of break-ins in recent months and in consideration for the many elderly people who live alone in this district; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Policing Arrangements.
237.
The precise arrangements for the policing of particular areas are a matter for the Garda authorities who have informed me that the Oxmanstown Road area is receiving as much Garda attention as is practicable from foot and mobile patrols, having regard to other commitments. It would, however, be contrary to established practice to give details of the patrols operating in a particular area at any given time.
As regards the incidence of burglaries in the area in question, the Garda authorities state that a neighbourhood watch scheme launched by the local community last year is in the course of development and they hope that this scheme, together with the current patrolling arrangements for the area, will help to prevent crimes such as burglary and to allay the fears of the elderly people living there.