Vol. 428 No. 5
30 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to increase the number of community liaison gardaí in the South Dublin area; the number of gardaí available for community liaison work in the Dublin South constituency; and the number of gardaí in the Dublin South area as compared with the figures for 1985.
Since Garda Divisional boundaries do not coincide with those of electoral areas, the following information is in respect of the Dublin Metropolitan Area South Division. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of community gardaí in DMA South is currently 60, comprising 55 gardaí, 4 sergeants and 1 inspector. The inspector is employed on community policing duties on a part-time basis.
That the Garda authorities are well aware of the valuable role which community gardaí play is shown by the fact that the number of gardaí on these duties has increased each year since community policing was first introduced in 1987. The Garda authorities inform me that the number of members involved in community policing duties in the DMA South Division is kept under continuing review and alterations are made to meet changing demands.
The current Garda manpower in the DMA South Division is 662, as compared with 663 in 1985.
