Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 134: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make extra resources available to the Garda authorities to allow them deploy extra gardaí in Firhouse, Dublin 24 to combat crime and anti-social behaviour in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33800/06]

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

I have been informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the Firhouse area is policed by Gardaí attached to Rathfarnham Garda Station. The personnel strength of Rathfarnham Garda Station as at 18 October 2006 was 69 Gardaí (all ranks). The personnel strength of Rathfarnham Garda Station as at 31 December 1997 was 63 (all ranks). This represents an increase of 6 (or 9.5%) in the number of personnel allocated since then.

The area is patrolled by uniform and detective patrols which are augmented by foot and mountain bike patrols. As part of a recent crime reduction strategy under Operation Anvil two plain clothes Gardaí on foot patrol have been deployed in the Firhouse/Knocklyon area and a number of Community Gardaí are also assigned to the area.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within Divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. These personnel allocations are determined by a number of factors including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Garda management state that such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. This ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

In addition, the Divisional Crime Task Force based in Crumlin and the Divisional Traffic unit based in Terenure also patrol the area. The local Drugs Unit based in Tallaght are presently concentrating resources in this area.

The Criminal Justice Act, 2006 contains provisions to deal with anti-social behaviour. The Act empowers a senior member of the Garda Síochána to apply to the District Court by way of a civil procedure for an order which will prohibit an adult from behaving in an anti-social manner. In relation to children aged 12 to 18 years, specially tailored provisions, fully integrated into the Children Act 2001, provide for a number of steps. These culminate in court orders for those engaged in anti-social behaviour.

The relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 will be commenced following consultations between my Department, the Office of the Minister for Children and the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána.

I should add that the current recruitment drive to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members, in line with the commitment in the 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 this year. The first three groups of newly attested Gardaí under this accelerated recruitment programme came on stream in March, June and September of this year and the fourth such group will become fully attested members of the Force later this year. Further tranches of approximately 275 newly attested Gardaí will follow every 90 days thereafter until the programme is complete. 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 Firhouse will be given the fullest consideration.