Vol. 536 No. 6
59 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total number of personnel in the Garda Síochána; the average total number on duty by day and by night; the average number allotted to foot patrols by day and by night; and his views on whether the overall number should be increased. [15030/01]
I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources to individual areas, that the total manpower strength for all ranks of the Garda Síochána as at 1 May 2001 is 11,666. Garda numbers have not ever been higher in the history of the State than the level being achieved this year. I am further informed that Garda personnel operate according to a number of rosters in order to maximise the available resources during the busiest periods and that the number of Garda personnel on duty during daytime and night time hours can vary from day to day and location to location according to the exigencies of the service. As such, the information sought by the Deputy regarding average numbers on patrol is not readily available.
The Deputy also asks whether the overall number of gardaí should be increased. When I came into office in 1997, there were approximately 10,800 gardaí. There are now 11,666, an increase of 866 personnel. Last year, the Government approved my proposals for the recruitment of 500 Garda trainees and the first of these will commence training this year. I am pleased this latest recruitment will fulfil the Government commitment to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to a record 12,000 by 2002. The question of further recruitment is being kept under review in my Department and I will bring any proposals in this regard to Government in the usual manner.
Does the Minister accept that many people are being terrorised on our streets by day and by night? Does he accept that public order offences appear to be on the increase? Does he agree that having members of the Garda Síochána on foot patrol is a deterrent to such offences? If so why are there not more gardaí on the beat?
The Garda Commissioner recently indicated that he will ensure that certain areas with public order difficulties will be specifically targeted. I am concerned at any degree of public disorder and I agree the number of gardaí on the beat can have a great relevance in terms of bringing down the number of people who commit these kinds of offences. In that context it is not the intention to just increase the numbers of gardaí, as we have done, but to introduce civilianisation. This should release up to 560 members of the Garda Síochána from behind desks on to the streets. I expect 170 to be released under this programme this year with the remaining numbers over the following two years so that we will ensure that the highly trained members of the force have their talents maximised in terms of their service to the public.
Does the Minister have either an advisory or consultative role on the deployment of members of the Garda Síochána to stations and divisions? Will he indicate if there are criteria that determine where gardaí are allocated and, if so, is he satisfied with them?
I congratulate the Minister on the numbers of gardaí being recruited.
They are needed.
Does the Minister agree that a total of eight gardaí and two sergeants on duty for the entire peninsula of Inishowen, which is the size of County Leitrim or County Louth, is inadequate to cover a population of 30,000 and places like Buncrana, Carndonagh, Redcasatle and Moville? Does he agree that more Garda visibility might reduce some of the crime levels and anti-social behaviour at discos?
The Deputy has made my point.
With regard to the Minister's point on civilianisation, is he aware of a proposal by the Garda to abolish the Roscommon-East Galway Garda division and to downgrade the Garda headquarters in Roscommon town to a divisional headquarters? Is he aware of the huge concern about this among gardaí? Will he indicate if this measure is to proceed? Who has made this decision and is he aware that it will amalgamate two large Garda divisions in Galway and Roscommon-Sligo?
Given the recent figures provided by the Garda Commissioner, does the Minister agree that there has been a dramatic increase in public order offences? Will he explain why, in the context of local communities who for more than four years have called for additional gardaí on the beat, foot patrols and more community policing, he has failed to ensure this is put in place? What guarantee can he give the House that it will now happen?
Was the Minister surprised at the comments yesterday by the Garda Commissioner when he said that present policing measures have had no impact on public order offences despite the fact that almost 39,000 people were charged with such offences last year? Will he comment on the need to better equip gardaí on the beat to deal with violent and drunken public disorder?
I am shocked at the Minster's inane reply. It seems he has done nothing for the past four years and has taken no interest in this steadily developing problem. He took up office as an alleged crusader for zero tolerance yet he appears to have done nothing. Does he agree that to tell us of action he intends to take after four years in office is confirmation of failure on his part?
Even inane questions deserve comprehensive answers and I have tried to give them to Deputy O'Keeffe.
Raising the concerns of people about public order offences is not inane.
Since 1997 the Garda Vote has increased by 48%. The number of prison spaces has increased from 2,200 to 3,500 and is set to increase further to 4,000 and more. The numbers in the Garda Síochána has increased from approximately 10,800 to 11,666 today.
Another wonderful answer from the Minister.
He should tell the House about his response to street violence.
The Minister without interruption.
We have introduced mounted units and an aerial and dog unit. We have also introduced a process of civilianisation and over the past four years we have introduced legislation to provide a launching pad for the fight against crime in a vigorous manner. This has resulted in an unprecedented fall in indictable crime of more than 21% during the Government's term of office.
It is like Dr. Strangelove here. Will the Minister answer the question?
We are now getting zero answers.
During the lifetime of the Government, indictable crime has fallen by more than 21%, some say in the region of 25%—
The Mental Health Bill is due to be taken at 4.15 p.m.
—at a time when the average increase across Europe is 11%.
That being said, in the fight against crime there must be an attitude of relentlessness.
How about relentless foot patrols by the Garda?
In that context I will now deal with the specific questions outlined. Deputy Howlin wished to know about the deployment of members of the Garda Síochána. This is traditionally a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
The Minister is taking no interest in it. Has he even spoken to the Commissioner?
The criteria he utilises include the incidence of crime in an area, geographical spread, the population in the area and so on. Deputy Keaveney asks if I regard the number of gardaí in Inishowen as adequate. It is truly a matter for the Commissioner to decide what is adequate or inadequate. I will, however, bring her concerns to his attention.
The question of the abolition of divisions and districts is under review, but there is no information available to me that any division or district will be abolished, unless Deputy Naughten has information to that effect.
That is a sad answer.
