Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of Garda cars servicing the Clontarf district; and if he will invest in more gardaí to service theWhitethorn, Thorndale and Elm Mount areas in Dublin 5. [31113/05]

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 number of Garda cars servicing the Raheny district of the Dublin Metropolitan region northern division are as set out hereunder:

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the areas referred to by the Deputy are policed by gardaí attached to Raheny Garda station. The personnel strength of Raheny Garda station as at 24 October 2005 was 60, all ranks.

Local Garda management states that current policing plans in the area are predicated on the prevention of anti-social behaviour and public order offences, the prevention of crime, including crime against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life for all residents.

Local Garda management further states that additional supporting patrols, for the areas concerned, are provided by the divisional traffic unit, divisional crime task force and the district detective unit. These patrols are directed to pay particular attention to areas where youths tend to congregate. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the areas in question.

In regard to 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, of both 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, and in this context the needs of the Raheny district will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda districts throughout the country.