Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will request a detailed report from the Garda authorities regarding the level of policing in the East Wall area of Dublin 3 specifying the number of foot patrols in East Wall and their approximate times so involved; if the report will respond to complaints from an association (details supplied) that Garda visibility in East Wall is minimalist at best; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41819/08]

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.

For operational and security reasons it is not Garda policy to disclose the number of Gardaí detailed for specific duties over any specific period of time. Notwithstanding this, I have been informed by the Commissioner that 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.

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 also been directed to the area.

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.