Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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17. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that adequate resources and appropriate Garda units are available to the Superintendent in charge of the Lucan and Clondalkin areas of Dublin following the recent robberies, murders and attempted murders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20594/13]

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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47. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views that an armed response unit should be based in the Dublin mid-west area following recent murders and attempted murders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20593/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 47 together.

The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel and armed response units, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of demographics, crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

As of 31 March 2013, there were 742 Gardaí assigned to the Dublin Metropolitan Region West Division of which 214 are assigned to Clondalkin and 165 assigned to Lucan. There are also 66 Garda Reserves and 47 civilians assigned to the Division. In addition, local resources are supported, when necessary, with a 24/7 armed response from the Special Detective Unit and the Emergency Response Unit throughout the Region.

An Garda Síochána continues to vigorously tackle organised crime through undertaking a range of targeted activities designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. This involves targeting serious criminals and organised criminal groups on a number of fronts, including through the use of focused intelligence-led operations by specialist units such as the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation and the Criminal Assets Bureau. These units are also supported, as required, by the Security and Intelligence Section which assists with the provision of intelligence briefings and timely information.