Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the average number of gardaí available for foot or motorised patrol and the staffing of stations on a daily and nightly basis in the Dublin metropolitan division and in the counties immediately adjacent; and if the figure constitutes an adequate response to current crime rates. [16334/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Garda authorities are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel. They have informed me that the personnel strength in the Dublin Metropolitan Region as at 28 May was 3,561 for all ranks and excluded members assigned to the traffic division and the area office.

The three Garda divisions adjacent to the DMR are Louth-Meath, Carlow-Kildare and Wexford-Wicklow. The strength of the three divisions as at 28 May was as follows:

For operational and security reasons it is not Garda policy to issue information on the number of gardaí deployed in an area over a specific period. Local management places a great emphasis on foot patrols. It is Garda policy to ensure that as many personnel as possible are engaged on foot patrols and more are deployed as further personnel resources become available. Dedicated foot patrols are also in place by way of ongoing operations and initiatives.

Mobile and foot patrols are continually reviewed to ensure that they address the policing needs of an area. They focus on targeting areas of high crime and where public order issues frequently arise.

Garda management is satisfied that sufficient personnel are in place to meet the present policing needs of the region.