Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2005
428 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Ballyfermot Garda station and per head of population; the number stationed in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8650/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra429 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Clondalkin Garda station and per head of population; the number stationed in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8651/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra430 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Ronanstown Garda station and per head of population; the number stationed in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8652/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra431 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Lucan Garda station and per head of population; the number stationed in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8653/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra432 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Rathcoole Garda station and per head of population; the number stationed in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8654/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra433 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving the Palmerstown area and per head of population; the number serving Palmerstown in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8655/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra434 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving Clondalkin and north Clondalkin and per head of population; the number serving Clondalkin and north Clondalkin in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8656/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra435 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving Lucan and per head of population; the number serving Lucan in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8657/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra436 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí serving Rathcoole and Saggart and per head of population; the number serving Rathcoole and Saggart in 1996 and per head of population; the percentage increase or decrease in numbers since 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8658/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra438 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Palmerstown by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8660/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra439 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Lucan by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8661/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra440 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Rathcoole and Saggart by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8662/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra441 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Clondalkin by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8663/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra442 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Newcastle by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8664/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra443 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Palmerstown by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8665/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra444 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Lucan by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8666/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra445 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Newcastle by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8667/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra446 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Clondalkin by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8668/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra447 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol Rathcoole and Saggart by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8669/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra448 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Ballyfermot Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8670/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra449 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Ronanstown Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8671/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra450 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Lucan Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8672/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra451 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Rathcoole Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during normal office hours; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8673/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra452 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Ballyfermot Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8674/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra453 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Ronanstown Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8675/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra454 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Lucan Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8676/05]
Amharc ar fhreagra455 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí allocated to patrol the area served by Rathcoole Garda station by foot, mountain bike and car during the hours of 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; the number in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8677/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 436, inclusive, and 438 to 455, inclusive, together.
With regard to the information sought by the Deputy in the above questions, I should advise as follows: As population statistics do not correlate to Garda district boundaries, the information sought by the Deputy in respect of the number of gardaí stationed per head of population cannot be provided.
Statistical information on Garda personnel strength has only been held by the Garda Síochána on a computerised basis since January 1997. In respect of the figures sought by the Deputy for 1996 and 2005, I am advised by the Garda authorities that the retrieval and compilation of the relevant information from 1996 would necessitate a disproportionate use of time and resources.
Statistics on Garda numbers are compiled on an end of month basis. The following statistics, which refer to 31 January 1997, are thus the earliest figures available for comparative purposes. For security and operational reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of personnel on duty in any particular area over a given period of time.
However, I am thus informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of the Garda stations hereunder as at the 31 January 1997 and 17 March 2005, together with the corresponding percentage increases and-or decreases, was as follows:
|
Station |
1997 |
2005 |
Increase/ Decrease |
Percentage (%) Change |
|
% |
||||
|
Ballyfermot |
75 |
73 |
-2 |
-2.7% |
|
Clondalkin |
61 |
81 |
+20 |
+32.8 |
|
Ronanstown |
57 |
80 |
+23 |
+40.4 |
|
Lucan |
52 |
70 |
+18 |
+34.6 |
|
Rathcoole |
12 |
26 |
+14 |
+116.7 |
All of the above Garda stations form part of the Dublin metropolitan region west division. The Dublin metropolitan region west division was created from parts of the Dublin metropolitan region north and south divisions in the latter half of 1997. The personnel strength, all ranks, of the Dublin metropolitan region west division as at the 31 December 1997 and 17 March 2005 was as follows:
|
Divisional Strength |
1997 |
2005 |
Increase/ Decrease |
Percentage (%) Change |
|
DMR West |
502 |
668 |
166 |
+33.1% |
In regard to Garda resources generally, I am, of course, very pleased 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 the 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 draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Dublin metropolitan region west division will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country. Clearly, of course, 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. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaí will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
437 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the success of mountain bike Garda units in patrolling the Clondalkin, Palmerstown and Lucan south areas; if funds will be provided to augment these units; and if funding will be provided to expand into the area covered by Lucan Garda station. [8659/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that mountain bikes have been allocated to Ballyfermot, Clondalkin and Ronanstown Garda stations with Garda members being trained in their use. The deployment of Garda personnel on mountain bikes has proven to be successful in tackling and responding to certain types of crimes and offences. Their mobility and versatility is recognised as a method of high visibility crime prevention.
I am further informed that sufficient funding is available to meet the decided requirements of the Garda mountain bike unit. The expansion and redeployment of the Garda mountain bike unit is currently under consideration by Garda management.
