John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to ensure a more visible Garda presence in the Portobello area; if his attention has been drawn to the upsurge in vandalism and crime in the area; if he will take all steps in future to ensure a Garda presence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16635/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, inform me that the Portobello area is predominantly policed by gardaí from Kevin Street Garda station. The personnel strength of Kevin Street Garda station as at 17 May 2005 was 119, of all ranks. I am advised that the policing consists of patrols by uniformed and detective personnel, the community policing unit, the divisional crime task force, the district resource unit, the district drug unit and the Garda mountain bike unit.

It is the policy of local Garda management to ensure that high visibility policing is the norm at all times and this will continue.

While there have been miscellaneous breaches of the criminal law in the area referred to, all are under active investigation. Furthermore, there is no evidence to suggest that criminal activity is out of control in the Portobello area.

The number of Garda personnel assigned to Kevin Street Garda station, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are constantly monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

On the question of Garda resources generally, 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 a commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government 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 Garda Commissioner will draw up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of Kevin Street Garda station 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 particular areas with a significant drugs problem and a large number of public order offences, but it will be possible to address other priorities, 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.