Vol. 526 No. 1
109 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda dog handlers and Garda dogs available for normal patrol duties; if such Garda and dog patrols are more beneficial in certain areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25694/00]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are two sergeants and 14 members currently attached to the Garda dog unit. One sergeant and 12 Garda dog handlers are available for normal patrol duties. There are also 13 general purpose dogs in the Garda dog unit.
I am also informed that during the year, to date, both foot and mobile patrols by the Garda dog unit have been carried out as part of normal patrol duties to augment local divisional Garda resources.
In addition, a number of new Garda initiatives, namely Operations Oiche, Boulevard and Assist, which included a combination of the Garda dog unit, mounted unit patrols and the Garda helicopter, assisted in augmenting local resources across a number of Garda divisions in the Dublin metropolitan area. One such initiative, Operation Boulevard, that included Garda dog unit patrols, operated in Dublin city centre from May to July 2000 and resulted in a decrease in crime in that particular area by 35%.
I am further informed by the Garda authorities that the use of the Garda dog unit for normal patrols is beneficial in augmenting existing Garda resources in all Garda divisions and will continue to be deployed as required.
