Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 2

Written Answers. - Thefts at Central Furniture Store.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

43 Mr. Byrne asked the Minister for Finance the total value of materials stolen from the Central Furniture Store of the Office of Public Works, Rialto, Dublin 8, between 1988 and the current date; the steps which have been taken to improve security procedures there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Finance (Mr. A. Reynolds)

Items of furniture valued at £39,800 were stolen from the Central Furniture Stores of the Office of Public Works at Rialto, Dublin 8, since 1988. The bulk of the losses, valued at £35,900 occurred in two incidents in the early part of 1990.

To improve security at the premises the following measures were taken — a replacement security firm was engaged from April 1990, the more valuable items of furniture, which were obviously the target of the thieves, were collected into a specially secured compound within the stores, additional works recommended by the Office of Public Works fire and security section and the Garda Crime Prevention Unit were carried out and the burglar alarm system was extended and modernised.

I am satisfied that all reasonable precautions to prevent further thefts are being taken, but the arrangements now in place will be kept under constant review.