Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 346: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Garda Commissioner's proposals for extra Garda patrols on Dublin city centre streets, particularly late at night and early morning, having regard to the continued high and unacceptable levels of violence that many citizens are experiencing; the plans being prepared to extend CCTV coverage in areas of high usage, such as Dame Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15106/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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There was a decrease of 22% in assault causing harm and a decrease of 23% in minor assaults in 2003 compared with 2002. There was almost a 22% decrease in criminal damage cases and 4% decrease in public order offences in the same period. Assaults causing harm decreased by a further 1% in 2004 compared with 2003 and by 15% for the first quarter of 2005 compared with the same period in 2004. Figures for the other categories above are not yet available.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of personnel and resources, that the area in question is policed by gardaí attached to the north central and south central divisions of the Dublin metropolitan region. The personnel strength — all ranks — of these divisions as at 9 May 2005 was as follows.

A number of policing operations have been put in place to combat public order incidents in Dublin city centre, including Operations Encounter, Boulevard, Eden Quay and the city centre initiative. These operations are Garda initiatives aimed at dealing effectively with public order issues by providing high visibility foot patrols in city centre streets late at night and during the early morning. Garda authorities consider these operations to have been very successful in combatting such incidents. These initiatives are kept under constant review by local Garda management and are tailored to meet circumstances as they exist at any given time.

I am advised that local Garda management is satisfied with the current level of patrols in the city centre. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in Dublin city centre with a view ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

With regard to CCTV coverage of Dublin city centre, I am informed by the Garda authorities that 69 Garda CCTV cameras provide coverage of areas of high usage in the city centre. A Garda proposal to extend CCTV coverage in the Camden Street, Temple Bar and Pearse Street areas by a further nine cameras is under examination. With regard to the area given as an example by the Deputy, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are two Garda CCTV cameras covering Dame Street — one at College Green, and one opposite the Central Bank. This coverage may be further augmented with the expansion of the CCTV system as described above.