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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1989

Vol. 392 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

201.

asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda stations operating in the State at present; the current national Garda strength; the current Dublin Garda strength; and if he is satisfied, having regard to recent population trends, that the Dublin Metropolitan Garda presence per head of population is sufficient to meet the needs of the community.

There are 705 Garda stations in the State. Overall Garda strength as of 30 September 1989 was 10,518, of whom 3,774 were assigned to in the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

Decisions in regard to the number of gardaí to be allocated to the Dublin Metropolitan Area are, as in the case of any other area, based upon a professional assessment by the Garda authorities of the relative policing needs of all areas throughout the State. Garda personnel deployment strategies are constantly reviewed to ensure that resources are assigned to where they are most needed at any given time.

I fully appreciate the need to keep Garda strength in the Dublin Metropolitan Area at a level at which it can effectively cope with the particular policing problems there. The Garda Commissioner is aware of my concern in this regard. I am satisfied that full consideration is being and will continue to be given to the policing needs of the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

203.

asked the Minister for Justice if he has received representations from the Clonburris Combined Residents' Group, Dunawley, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 regarding the need for a substantially enlarged Garda force at Clondalkin Garda station; the present strength of the Garda force at Clondalkin; whether it is adequate; whether arrangements will be made to provide the increased force reasonably required for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I received a letter on 11 October from the Clonburris combined residents' group expressing concern about Garda manpower levels at Clondalkin station in the light of an increase in vandalism and crime in the area. As the policing arrangements for individual stations are a matter for the Garda authorities I referred the group's letter to them for consideration.

The Garda authorities inform me that, having regard to overall resources and the many other demands on Garda services in the Dublin Metropolitan Area, the current Garda strength of 53 at Clondalkin station is the maximum that can be provided there at present. I am assured, however, that the strength of the station is being kept under continuing review by Garda management to take account of any changing needs and circumstances.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that there has been no appreciable increase in crime levels in the Clondalkin area in the current year. In fact provisional figures for indictable crime reported in the Clondalkin Garda subdistrict in the first eight months of this year actually show a slight decrease on the figures for the corresponding period last year.

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