John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 627: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the increasing break-ins around the Exchequer Street area; if the culprits have been arrested; the action he intends to take regarding increasing the Garda presence in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14299/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Garda authorities that a number of burglaries have occurred in the area referred to by the Deputy and are being investigated by the gardaí at Pearse Street Garda station. Local Garda management is satisfied with the current level of policing in the area, which includes patrolling by uniformed and detective gardaí supplemented by the divisional crime task force, the traffic corps, the Garda drug unit, the special resource unit, the Garda mountain bike unit and the community policing units.

I have been further informed that the personnel strength of Pearse Street Garda station as at 30 June 2002 was 212, all ranks. The personnel strength of Pearse Street Garda station as at 31 March 2006 was 250, all ranks. This represents an increase of 38 or 18% in the number of gardaí, all ranks, allocated to Pearse Street Garda station during that period.

Garda personnel assigned to the area, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that the best possible use is made of existing Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.