Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an area, details supplied, is adequately policed; if sufficient resources are made available to the local police district to ensure this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15662/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the area referred to by the Deputy forms part of the Kevin Street sub-district. The personnel strength of Kevin Street Garda station as at 24 May 2004 was 116, all ranks.

The policing of this area consists of patrols by local uniformed gardaí, the district detective unit, the special resource unit and the community policing unit. In addition, the divisional crime task force, the district drug unit and the Garda mountain bike unit also patrol the area.

A Garda youth diversion project called DÁN operates in this district, including the catchment area referred to by the Deputy. Through a combination of intervention and prevention, the DÁN Garda youth diversion project aims to divert young people from becoming involved in criminal or anti-social behaviour, and provide suitable activities to facilitate personal development and encourage civic responsibility and work towards improving the long-term employability of the participants. In achieving the above objectives, the project seeks to support and improve local Garda-community relations and to enhance the quality of life in this area.

Local Garda management is satisfied that the current structures in the Kevin Street district are adequate to ensure that the district receives an efficient policing service.