Written answers
Tuesday, 22 March 2005
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Deployment
8:00 pm
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 428: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 429: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 431: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 432: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 433: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 434: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 436: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 438: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 439: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 440: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 450: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 451: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 452: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 455: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaà 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]
Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I 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 gardaà stationed per head of population cannot be provided.
Statistical information on Garda personnel strength has only been held by the Garda SÃochána 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 SÃochána 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 gardaà allocated to traffic duties as part of the new Garda traffic corps. One thing I have already promised is that the additional gardaà will not be put on administrative duties. They will be put directly into frontline, operational, high-visibility policing. They will have a real impact.
Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 437: To ask 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]
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 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.
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