Written answers

Tuesday, 13 December 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Garda Deployment

11:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide extra Garda resources in Tulla, County Clare, to deal with a recent surge in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38853/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of Garda resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength of Tulla Garda station as at 9 December 2005 was one Garda. I am further informed that Tulla is part of the community policing initiative and is constantly patrolled by resources attached to Scarriff Garda station, which augments the permanent manpower attached to Tulla. A number of community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes are in place and the divisional crime prevention officer regularly attends meetings advising on personal and home security.

Garda management report that roving vehicle checkpoints are conducted in rural areas in order to prevent and detect criminal activity and gather intelligence on criminals in, and travelling through, the division. The Clare divisional crime prevention officer recently conducted a security audit on rural post offices and financial institutions and recommendations for improvements have been given to the proprietors. Garda management will continue to appraise the policing and administrative strategy employed in the Clare division with a view to ensuring an effective Garda service is maintained.

With 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 Clare division will be fully considered within the overall context of the needs of Garda divisions throughout the country.

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