Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 306: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to a request for an increase in Garda patrols in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 3, due to a high level of anti-social behaviour including cars being set on fire, car tyres and mirrors being damaged, and congregation of gangs outside Church Road; and if this request will be granted. [40985/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The area referred to by the Deputy falls into the Dublin North Central Garda Division. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of the Dublin North Central Garda Division as at 30 September 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 712.

Local Garda management is aware of the issues raised by the Deputy in the area referred to by him and additional patrols by uniformed and plain clothes personnel, supplemented by Divisional and District Detective and Drug Units, Community Policing and Garda Mountain Bike Units, Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel have been directed to the area. Four members of the local Community Policing Unit are allocated specifically to the area and these members attend meetings with various Residents' Groups attended also by Local Authority and public representatives. These meetings are also regularly attended by local Senior Garda management and the Assistant Commissioner with responsibility for the Region.

A specific initiative, targeting public disorder and other anti-social type behaviour has been commenced by local Garda management in this area. It incorporates additional patrols being carried out by the Divisional Public Order Unit, particularly between Thursdays and Sundays.

Current policing plans in the area are designed to address issues of crime and public order offences. Community policing is a central feature and core value of policing policy and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. The aim is to bring about an environment conducive to the improvement of the quality of life for residents in the Community. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force. In doing this he takes into account all relevant factors, including factors such as population, crime rates and trends as well as operational priorities.

The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the needs of the area referred to by the Deputy will be fully considered by the Commissioner with the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.