Vol. 462 No. 2
182 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí serving in the Garda district covering the Chapelizod area, Dublin 20; the numbers in each specialist unit for example the drug unit; the actual numbers available for foot and mobile patrols; the various residential districts covered and the population of the overall area; and whether additional gardaí will be made available to this Garda district. [4178/96]
The deployment of Garda personnel is the responsibility of the Garda authorities. They have informed me that the Chapelizod area is policed by the gardaí attached to the Ballyfermot Garda station. The strength at Ballyfermot station is 82 members as of 21 February 1996. The population of the Ballyfermot district is approximately 103,000.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all members at the station are available for operational duties if required. There is a drugs unit and crime prevention unit attached to Ballyfermot Garda station. However, I do not propose to provide the strength of these units on the grounds of security and crime prevention generally. I understand from the Garda authorities that a community Garda is assigned to the Chapelizod area. He regularly carries out both foot and mobile patrols in the area. The area is also frequently patrolled by marked and unmarked mobile units from Ballyfermot Garda station and this is augmented, when required, by the divisional task force unit based at Crumlin Garda station.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they are satisfied that the present strength at Ballyfermot station is sufficient to meet the policing needs of the area. They have assured me that the policing arrangements for the district are kept under continuous review and any adjustments considered necessary will be made.
