Mr. Jack Nolan:

That gives the committee a perspective on the fear of crime. The fear of crime is particularly prevalent among the older population. Statistically the older person is least likely to suffer a crime but be greater impacted by the effects of a crime. We are very conscious of this and we attempt to address it through engagements with bodies such as Age Friendly Ireland and we have an older persons' strategy for ensuring communications, visits and calls to the older people in the community.

I probably should address the issue of the closure of Garda stations because each member of the committee has raised it. I am sure everyone present is conscious of the demands that were made on the wider public service. An Garda Síochána, being part of the wider public service, was asked to make hard choices in the difficult financial years of 2007 to 2014, inclusive. We closed 139 Garda stations throughout the country. We also amalgamated 28 Garda districts into 14 bigger, stronger districts. Each one of those closures was carefully analysed and there was a rationale to the process. Could we provide the service from an alternative accommodation. How much policing activity was happening in those stations? What would the clustering of our capabilities at a more central location provide? What was the actual distance between Garda stations? We were also faced with a significant reduction through attrition of our Garda fleet. Interestingly enough, when all of that happened, the monetary savings were pretty small. Overall, the closure of the Garda stations saved approximately €1.8 million per annum. An issue that has not got much publicity is that not having to open those Garda stations generated 64,000 man hours, which were available for Garda patrols and providing a presence in the communities. At a time when our numbers reduced by approximately 2,000 and our budget was significantly reduced, we were able to maintain the Garda presence in communities through the availability of these hours.

The result of that manifested in reductions in crime figures in the past couple of years. The reductions are pretty spectacular. The onset of the extra people, which we referred to earlier, and the increase in and stabilisation of our Garda budgets have allowed us to invest in operations such as Operation Thor, which was referred to by Mr. Singh. We took a detailed approach in those operations. Some of the issues that Deputy Ó Cuív raised as regards travelling criminals were identified. There are groups that specialise in moving around the country and targeting vulnerable persons. They have support groups that target and identify these locations in advance. We have been able to bring those pretty much to justice at this point. A 34% reduction in national burglaries is a pretty satisfying performance by the organisation.

The reopening of Garda stations was mentioned by Deputy Collins. That topic is the subject of consideration between the Policing Authority and An Garda Síochána. It is a commitment in the programme for Government. It is a work in progress. There is a commitment to reopen six Garda stations, the locations of which have not been agreed, decided or identified at this time. From my perspective, An Garda Síochána currently has 565 Garda stations, which is still a pretty sizable footprint across the country. We have 96 Garda districts as well, each of which has a superintendent, barring an ordinary retirement or a transfer to fill a vacancy.

Each Deputy here has alluded to their involvement on joint policing committees. This development came about in 2006 and is one that continues to grow and show promise. It allows community issues to be aired, it allows local authorities to air issues and it also allows Garda superintendents and chief superintendents to portray exactly what is being done about problems in local areas, whether it is a crime, traffic or public order problem. As we all know, many issues and social problems, whether criminal or otherwise, are not solely within the power of one agency such as ourselves to deal with. I regularly see the collaborative approach paying dividends. Everyone here and every guard in the country is committed to having Ireland as safe as possible. Doing it and having the plans to do it takes time, investment, money and resources and so on.

My key point is that it is much more important to have Garda uniforms visible in locations rather than an actual building, albeit the building is a symbol of the State authority and stability in communities. We do everything possible to enhance that visibility. I have outlined our community contact and community engagement approaches-----