Vol. 458 No. 1
7 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Justice if she has satisfied herself with the present level of policing in the towns of Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown, County Galway; the plans, if any, she has to fill the Garda vacancies in these towns; and if she will make a statement on proposals for policing in the North Galway area. [16057/95]
The allocation of Garda manpower and resources to individual areas is a matter for the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown stations form part of the Tuam District in the Roscommon-Galway East Divison. The present strength at both Dunmore and Glenamaddy stations is one sergeant and two gardaí compared to one sergeant and three gardaí in December last year. Milltown station has a present strength of one sergeant and two gardaí and this has been the strength for the past few years.
I understand that the stations at Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Outside these hours the public served by these stations can avail of a direct communication link to the district headquarters at Tuam.
I also understand from the Garda authorities that the official car based at Dunmore patrols all three sub-districts. These patrols are augmented by the district patrol car as required. Moreover, there are two community alert schemes in operation in the Dunmore sub-district, and one in both the Glenamaddy and Milltown sub-districts. These schemes encourage close co-operation between the local gardaí and the people in these areas.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a total of 28 crimes were reported in the three sub-districts concerned in 1994 and that the indications are that there will be a reduction in the level of crime in those areas this year. While I would never be complacent about any level of crime, I believe this trend suggests that policing in these areas remains effective.
The Garda authorities are satisfied that a good police service is, indeed, being provided to the towns of Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown. They say that consideration will be given to filling the vacancies at Dunmore and Glenamaddy as soon as possible with due regard to the need also to fill other vacancies throughout the Roscommon/Galway East Division.
I am glad to hear there are proposals to fill the vacancies at Dunmore and Glenamaddy. I question some of the figures the Minister gave. He mentioned that Dunmore had one sergeant and two gardaí. That is not correct; a garda was transferred from there quite recently.
Has the Minister any proposals to carry out refurbishment works at our Garda stations, particularly to the living accommodation, to enable gardaí and their families to live in the towns and villages which they serve? Is the Minister aware that there is major concern that some of these stations may be closed if such improvement works are not carried out? Can the Minister give an assurance that this will not happen?
I was asked if I was satisfied with the present level of policing in the towns of Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown. I did not receive notice regarding extensions. I will draw the Deputy's remarks to the attention of the Minister and the appropriate authorities, and I am sure there will be a follow-up on that.
I would appreciate it if the Minister would check his information regarding Dunmore. In the context of future policing, are there any plans to introduce community policing to the north Galway area?
The Deputy specified a number of areas in his constituency. He is now extending that somewhat.
My question related to the policing proposals for north Galway. I am asking if this will involve community policing, previously known as rural policing, such as exists in parts of east Galway and south Roscommon.
The towns are specified — Dunmore, Glenamaddy and Milltown.
Will there be community policing in north Galway in those three towns?
The Deputy is probably aware that the Garda authorities have very considerable plans for the extension of community policing. A separate question regarding the areas he has mentioned will, I am sure, get him the up-to-date information.
I did ask about the proposals for policing in north Galway.
The Deputy did not ask about community policing.
That is what it is about. Will the Minister let me know when there is a decision on that?
Yes. I want to be as cooperative as possible.
