Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 6

Written Answers. - Garda Strength.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

277 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to active policing duties in the Blanchardstown and Castleknock areas of Dublin 15 from 1997 to date; the reason the number of gardaí available for community policing has fallen so dramatically despite the large population increase in the area and the serious crime and anti-social activities experienced in certain areas of Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23608/00]

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 and resources to individual areas that Blanchardstown Garda station is responsible for the policing of the Blanchardstown and Castleknock areas of Dublin 15.

The number of gardaí, including the rank of sergeant and inspector, allocated to what could be described as active policing duties at Blanchardstown Garda station as at September 1997 to 2000 inclusive is as set out as follows:

Year	Allocation
1997	83
1998	87
1999	96
2000	105

The Blanchardstown and Castleknock areas are also patrolled by divisional drug, task force and traffic units with a personnel strength of 44 – 12 of whom are part of the Blanchardstown strength and included in the figure of 105 listed in the table.

The number of members allocated to community policing in the Dublin 15 area from 1997 to date is as follows:

Year	Sergeants	Gardaí
1997	2	16
1998	2	15
1999	2	12
2000	2	11

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that due to the rapid development and growth of Blanchardstown in recent years this has necessitated the provision of extra mobile and other units to service the area. Personnel have been redirected from community police units from time to time to staff these units and mobiles.

I am, however, informed that these measures were taken to ensure optimum use of resources and to curb crime and that the measures and initiatives taken in the Dublin 15 area are working well.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that the community policing service in the Dublin 15 area has not been degraded and that it will continue – together with the extra mobiles and units – to be very effective in their dealings with the residents of the Dublin 15 area.