Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of groups (details supplied) in Dublin 24 regarding security for the elderly in the area; if assurances will be sought from the Garda regarding the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30924/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that community gardaí in Tallaght Garda station are aware of the concerns of elderly people residing in the sub-district and frequently advise them on security matters.

I am further informed that gardaí in the Tallaght district work in partnership with local neighbourhood watch schemes. Gardaí encourage neighbourhood watch personnel and other voluntary agencies to apply, where applicable, for grants to enhance security for persons over 65 years who are living alone. These grants are available for monitored alarms, security door-locks and security lighting.

In addition to the above, uniformed and detective patrols from Tallaght Garda station regularly patrol areas where elderly persons reside. Additional patrols are also provided by the divisional task-force based in Crumlin and the divisional traffic unit based in Terenure.

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 240: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make additional resources available to the Garda to deal with vandalism on a building site (details supplied). [30927/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities, which are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 18 October 2005 was 173, including all ranks. The personnel strength of Tallaght Garda station as at 31 December 1997 was 133, all ranks. This represents an increase of 40, or 30%, in the number of personnel allocated to Tallaght Garda station since that date.

I am advised that the site in question is situated on open ground in the Kingswood area of Tallaght and that, because of its openness, it has been subject to occasional vandalism. I have been further advised that palisade fencing is currently being installed around the perimeter of the site and local Garda units will continue to patrol the area on a regular basis while this fencing is being installed. Local Garda management states that it is satisfied that adequate resources are currently available to police the site.

As regards Garda resources generally, the accelerated recruitment campaign to reach a record force strength of 14,000, in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government, is fully on target. This will lead to a combined strength, both of attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,000 by the end of 2006.

The Garda Commissioner will now be drawing up plans on how best to distribute and manage these additional resources. In this context, the needs of the Tallaght area will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda areas throughout the country.