Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí stationed at Coolock, Raheny, Howth, Santry and Clontarf for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008 by rank; the number of community gardaí, juvenile liaison officers and crime prevention officers attached to these stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37939/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Coolock, Raheny, Santry, Clontarf and Howth Garda Stations on 31 December 2005 to 2007 and on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder. It should be noted that a breakdown by rank is not readily available for 31st December 2005.

Juvenile Liaison Officers are assigned by Garda Division. Coolock, Raheny, Howth, Santry and Clontarf Garda Stations all form part of the Dublin Metropolitan Region North. The personnel strength of the Juvenile Liaison Officers assigned to this Division on 30 September 2008 was 11.

The number of Community Gardaí attached to each of these stations on 31 December 2005-2007 and on 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the following table:

It is, of course, the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within the Garda Síochána, and I agree with the view expressed by the Garda Inspectorate in their third report entitled "Policing in Ireland—Looking Forward" that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland. I am also looking forward to receiving from the Commissioner, in the near future, a copy of the final report of a working group developing proposals for a comprehensive model of rural and urban community policing.

There is one Crime Prevention Officer allocated to each Garda Division throughout the country. The Crime Prevention Officer for the DMR North Division is based at Ballymun Garda Station.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, the personnel strength of Garda divisions and stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate all resources, including personnel, throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the allocation of Gardaí to these stations will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of policing requirements throughout the country.