Arising from the part of the answer that applies to Question No. 13, would the Minister say how many men, including officers, are involved in the policing of the Ballyfermot area, and how many cars and bicycles are available for these men?

The strength in Ballyfermot is one superintendent, four inspectors, 13 sergeants and 48 gardaí. There is one patrol car and one motor cycle operating around the clock, and one other car which operates up to 2 a.m. nightly, that is about 17 hours per day.

Will the Minister agree that in a part of Dublin city where there is a population in the region of 70,000 to 80,000 we are depending entirely on about 65 people to provide 24-hours service? We have only one motor car and one motor cycle to service the area on a 24-hour seven-day-week basis, and the Commissioner says he is not satisfied from the resources available to him that the area is properly policed. Is the Minister aware that at public meetings held in the area senior members of the Garda force, ranking superintendent and possibly higher, have admitted that they are very disturbed with the inadequate policing given to the area, that they are very short of manpower, and that they need more policing hours there even to keep up with the increasing crime there? Would the Minister not agree that some crash programme should be introduced to see to it that a large area of Dublin, an area much bigger than Limerick city and almost as big as Cork city, will be adequately policed? We have only 50 men for three eight-hour shifts.

This is a long question.

That is less than 20 for an eight-hour shift and less than 13 or 14 men for an eight-hour shift per day on a five-day week, in the Ballyfermot area, for 70,000 people. It is ludicrous.

The population in the Ballyfermot area in the last census was estimated at 40,000 to 45,000 not 70,000 to 80,000.

When was the last census?

Order, let us hear the Minister out.

Deputy Collins does not want to hear the facts. The population was estimated at 40,000 to 45,000. In addition portion of the Ballyfermot area is policed from the Kilmainham station which has a total of 51 men. From time to time Ballyfermot has had assistance from the Crime Task Force which has been available at evening time and early night to supplement Garda strength in Ballyfermot. I have read of the concern of the Ballyfermot Traders' Association, but I have also read of the reply to those people from the Ballyfermot Community Association, who feel that the Ballyfermot Traders' Association have painted an inaccurate picture of their district.

Can the Minister say whether or not he is aware of statements made in Ballyfermot at public meetings by senior members of the Garda force, that they are quite satisfied that there is not enough Garda presence in the area and whether or not this is true?

Garda officers and myself would like to see extra gardaí on duty in many parts of the country. As I have told this House on numerous occasions we have increased the Garda force by 950 since we came into office, and we propose to increase it by a further 500. This is indicative of the Government's intention to answer the request for further Garda strength in different parts of the country. I am not saying that I am satisfied with the level of Garda strength in any district, but it is adequate as far as available resources permit.