Vol. 483 No. 5
149 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the dramatic reduction in the numbers of community gardaí in the Ballyfermot area, Dublin 10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/97.
The Garda authorities are responsible for the allocation of Garda personnel to different areas. They have informed me that the introduction of Operation Dóchas within the Ballyfermot area in October 1996 had implications for the duties of community gardaí at the time, and in fact altered the policing arrangements of Ballyfermot Garda station in relation to community policing and Operation Dóchas.
In November 1996 I am informed that there were six gardaí and one sergeant attached to Ballyfermot Garda station involved in community policing. In addition to their duties as community gardaí they also carried out duties under Operation Dóchas and to augment these new arrangements an extra sergeant had been appointed in October 1997.
The current position, the Garda authorities inform me, is that there are a total of seven gardaí involved in community policing and operation Dóchas — three gardaí full-time in community policing with one vacancy for a community sergeant, and four gardaí and one sergeant full-time in Operation Dóchas. Selection procedures are under way to fill the post of community sergeant. The net effect of these new arrangements is that a comparison with the same period last shows that there are now seven gardaí employed on flexi duties of community policing and Operation Dóchas, along with an extra sergeant on Operation Dóchas. I am assured by the Garda authorities that the policing arrangements in Ballyfermot are under continual review and changes are made as necessary.
150 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if additional Garda patrols will be urgently arranged in the vicinity of a location (details supplied) in Dublin 8 in view of the increasing break-ins there. [20855/97]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda records show that one burglary has been recorded at the premises referred to by the Deputy during 1997. I am further informed that the area in question is patrolled by gardaí involved in Operation Dóchas and by mobile units from Kilmainham station. I am assured that the area has received, and will continue to receive, regular attention from mobile and foot patrols, both uniform and plain clothes.
