asked the Minister for Justice the towns in County Kildare which have a population of more than 5,000 but which do not have the services of a Garda station.

(Limerick East): Leixlip is the only centre in County Kildare with a population in excess of 5,000 in which a Garda station is not located. It is served from Lucan station in the Dublin Metropolitan Area.

Having regard to the massive increase in the population in Leixlip in the past ten or 15 years, and taking into account the fact that the original population in the region of 700 to 800 has now reached 12,000 to 14,000, would it not be advisable for the Minister to give serious consideration to providing a Garda station in Leixlip and thereby alleviating some of the burden placed on the officers in the Lucan station which is two miles away?

(Limerick East): The present arrangement is that the Leixlip area is policed from the station in Lucan. In 1971 the census showed that the population in Leixlip was 2,414. The Garda estimate the current population at approximately 10,000. There has been some improvement because the Lucan station policed an area with a population of approximately 2,370 which is now being policed from Ronaldstown station. There are more gardaí available for the Leixlip area. I take the Deputy's general point that areas which expand in population with such rapidity must be kept under constant review to ensure that the best possible policing arrangements are made.

Is the Minister aware that over the past couple of years there has been a steady and alarming increase in the rate of petty crime in the Leixlip area with break-ins, robberies, muggings and attacks on elderly people? Does he consider that this necessitates a reappraisal of the station with a view to providing a Garda station there?

(Limerick East): I am not aware of the incidents to which the Deputy referred. If he provides me with the information I will ask the Commissioner to reconsider the position.