Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [42603/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the area referred to is in Santry Garda District. The personnel strength of Santry District on 31 October 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 264. The number of Community Gardaí in this district on that date was 20.

Local Garda management is aware of difficulties being experienced by residents concerning anti-social behaviour type incidents involving youths loitering around this area. A member of the local Community Policing Unit has been allocated to the area for the past number of years and attends the regular meetings of local Residents' and Business Groups in the area and any specific issues raised receive appropriate attention by local Gardaí.

The area is also regularly patrolled by uniform and plain-clothes units, including the Community Policing Unit. Patrols are supplemented by the District Garda Mountain Bike Unit, Detective and Drugs Units and the Divisional Crime Task Force and Traffic Corps personnel and records indicate that people and vehicles are regularly stopped and searched in this area. Public disorder and anti-social behaviour type incidents are dealt with under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994.

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 An Garda Síochána's policing policy and current policing strategies are predicated on the prevention of crime, public order offences and anti-social behaviour. This is designed 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.