Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on a reported increase in crime in an area (details supplied); the number of gardaí on patrol; the number of gardaí on bicycles in the area; the number of patrol cars in the area; the number of plain-clothes gardaí; the long-term plans for the future of Mountjoy Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24912/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is actively policed by Gardaí from Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station and Mountjoy Garda Station, which are part of Fitzgibbon Street Garda District. I am also informed that local Garda management is aware of public order and anti-social behaviour type offences being experienced by residents of the area concerned. Regular foot, bike and mobile patrols are conducted in the area by District and Divisional uniform and plain-clothes personnel supplemented, as required, by the District Detective and Drugs Units, the Community Policing Unit, which has dedicated patrols in this area, and the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel. Personnel are deployed on duties as appropriate by local Garda management.

The formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of the annual policing plan, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. I am advised that the long-term plans for Mountjoy station are being considered in the context of the future of both it and Fitzgibbon Street Stations and taking into account the overall policing requirements of the area. Current policing policy in the area is predicated on the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property, the prevention of public order offences and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of the policing service in this area.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of reported crimes relating to vandalism and theft of cars and burglaries for each month of 2008 in areas (details supplied); the detection rate for these crimes; the number of gardaí on patrol, on bicycles and in patrol cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24913/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred is actively policed by Gardaí from Bridewell Garda Station. I am further informed that the personnel strength of the Bridewell Garda Station on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 178. The Bridewell Garda Station forms part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) North Central Division which had a personnel strength of 689 on 31 May, 2008 which are deployed on patrol, on bikes, in patrol cars and on other duties as appropriate by Garda management.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day personnel strengths of individual divisions, districts and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking all relevant factors into account. In that regard, the needs of the Garda Station referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda Stations throughout the country.

Following the submission of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The CSO has published crime statistics since the third quarter of 2006. I have requested the CSO to provide the crime statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.