I am informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of Finglas Garda station as at the 15 December 2004 was 74 — all ranks. This figure includes two probationer gardaí who were allocated to Finglas Garda station on 26 November 2004. The personnel strength of Finglas Garda station as at 31 December 1999 was 90 — all ranks.
Finglas Garda station forms part of the Dublin metropolitan region — west — division. The personnel strength of this division as at 15 December 2004 was 659, all ranks. This figure includes 22 probationer gardaí who were allocated to the Dublin metropolitan region — west — division on 26 November 2004, two of whom were allocated to Finglas Garda station. The personnel strength for the same division as at 1 January 1999 was 542, all ranks. This represents an increase of 117, or 21.59%, in the number of personnel allocated to the Dublin metropolitan region — west — division since that date.
It is the responsibility of the divisional officer to allocate personnel within his or her division to ensure the optimum use is made of the existing resources within the division. The Deputy will be aware that I provided the Garda Síochána with an extra €4 million, providing 140,000 additional hours overtime for high visibility policing, for the eight weeks leading up to the 31 December 2004.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Crossover II was launched in the Finglas sub-district on 12 November 2004 to target criminal activity. In addition, I am informed that there are a number of initiatives in place to counteract public order offending and anti-social activities in the Finglas area. The area receives regular patrolling by uniformed car and van units with a view to ensuring a concentrated and visible Garda presence in the area. A community police unit is assigned to the area. Patrols are backed up by foot patrols and mountain bike patrols in addition to the divisional crime task force, divisional traffic unit and detective units. I am also informed that the gardaí, in association with neighbourhood watch groups, resident associations and Dublin City Council, co-ordinate and design initiatives to target high incident areas.
I understand there is currently one juvenile liaison officer working full time with children who offend in the Finglas area. In addition to this there is an active local drugs task force which co-ordinates the efforts of the gardaí the various other agencies and the community in the ongoing fight against drugs. There is also one Garda youth diversion project in the area, the FAN, Finglas Action Now, project. This project is a community-based, multi-agency crime prevention initiative which seeks to divert young persons from becoming involved — or further involved — in anti-social and-or criminal behaviour by providing suitable activities to facilitate personal development, promote civic responsibility and improve long-term employability prospects. By doing so, the project also contributes to improving the quality of life within communities and enhancing Garda-community relations.
With regard to Garda resources generally, I am pleased to note that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis, in line with An Agreed Programme for Government commitment in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.
The Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Finglas sub-district will be fully considered within the context of policing needs throughout the country. The additional resources will be targeted at the areas of greatest need, as is envisaged in the programme for Government. The programme identifies in particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities as well, such as the need to very significantly increase the number of gardaí allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda Traffic Corps. I have already promised that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into front-line, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
