Vol. 451 No. 2
100 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice the survey, if any, which has been carried out on where the Garda barracks will be located as between Donaghmede and Baldoyle, Dublin 13; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6355/95]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the policing needs of the Donaghmede and Baldoyle areas are kept under constant review to ensure the optimum police service to the public and that there are currently no plans to locate a Garda station in either the Baldoyle or Donaghmede areas. The Garda authorities stress that one difficulty with opening a new Garda station, apart from the capital cost involved, is that it would absorb manpower which could be better used on outdoor patrol duties. The essential point the Garda authorities make is that it is far better to maximise the number of gardaí available for outdoor patrol and crime duties rather than tie up manpower indoors in manning a new Garda station and taking up the additional burden of administrative work which this would inevitably involve.
Baldoyle is policed from Howth station and is also served by gardaí from the surrounding stations of Coolock, Raheny and Clontarf. A community garda is assigned to the Baldoyle area on a full-time basis and is assisted by an additional community garda from Howth. Donaghmede is policed by gardaí from Coolock station. There are three gardaí assigned permanently to community policing duties in the Donaghmede area.
The Garda clinic at Donaghmede shopping centre was closed on 6 October 1994 due to construction work being carried out in and around the clinic. Following refurbishment work at Donaghmede shopping centre a new location, within the shopping complex, has been identified for the Garda clinic. I understand that the Office of Public Works is in discussions with the landlord's agents in this regard.
