asked the Minister for Justice if he will arrange to have all-night Garda foot patrols extended to Athy town, County Kildare.

The detailed deployment of Garda resources is a matter to be decided primarily by the commissioner. The precise arrangements for policing particular local areas, and for the allocation of manpower as between foot patrols and other duties, are made by or in consultation with the local Garda officers.

The Garda authorities have informed me that, having regard to overall resources and other demands on Garda services, they consider that the existing arrangements for policing Athy are reasonably adequate and that Athy town is receiving as much Garda attention as possible.

The police needs of the Athy area will be kept under review and will be further considered according as the additional manpower being recruited becomes available for assignment to the various centres.

I am sure the Minister is aware that in Athy, during the time when the town is not patrolled in any form, very late in the night, there have been several break-ins through shop front windows. Would he not agree that this would probably not occur if there was a Garda presence, even a small presence, during these hours?

I shall certainly bring the point raised by the Deputy to the attention of the Garda Commissioner for consideration. While I am not disagreeing with the Deputy in what he says, there is, thankfully, a noticeable improvement in the general crime picture in the area. That is not saying that what is happening is tolerable; it is not. I am just saying that there has been a slight improvement.

It must have been very recently.

Since the end of 1978 and in 1979, there has been a small improvement, not good enough, but at least, it is an indication of the right way we want to go. I shall certainly bring the Deputy's views to the attention of the Garda Commissioner.