Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Deployment.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

930 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if street patrols by gardaí in the Dublin area have been cut back in the year 2000 to date; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20418/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I am informed by the Garda authorities – who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel to individual areas – that the number of street patrols in the Dublin area have not been cut back.

I am also informed that the overall levels of policing throughout the region have been maintained. Resources are deployed at all times with greatest concentration in problem areas. In cases where problem areas are identified the levels of patrols are increased in order to support initiatives taken to tackle the specific problem. In these cases, special beat patrols have been introduced to augment normal patrols.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the combined resources of the Garda mounted unit, the Garda air support unit and the Garda dog unit are being utilised in areas of greatest need to tackle public order problems.

Questions Nos. 931 and 932 taken with Question No. 827.