Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 333: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to the number of gardaí policing the Laragh, Glendalough and Sallygap areas of County Wicklow; the number of gardaí in these areas; if the number will be increased in view of the number of house robberies committed in daylight hours in the area, the number of joyriders and the number of cars that have been ransacked while their owners are walking in the countryside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7488/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have been informed by the Garda authorities who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the Laragh, Glendalough and Sallygap areas of County Wicklow are policed by gardaí attached to Rathdrum and Roundwood Garda stations.

The personnel strength of Rathdrum Garda station as at 8 March 2005 is four — all ranks. The personnel strength of Roundwood Garda station as at 8 March 2005 is four — all ranks. There is a marked patrol vehicle attached to both Rathdrum and Roundwood Garda stations.

There were 66 thefts from cars in the 12-month period ending 28 February 2004 and the same number of such thefts for the following 12-month period. Theft of cars rose from 12 to 18 for the comparative period.

Local Garda management are satisfied that the best use of available resources at Rathdrum and Roundwood Garda stations are and will continue to be made. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Roundwood and Rathdrum areas with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

In relation to Garda resources generally, I am 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 commitment in this regard in An Agreed Programme for Government. 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 Roundwood and Rathdrum Garda stations will be fully considered within the context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country. Clearly, 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 frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.