Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the damage done to rural communities by organised gangs engaged in burglary or other criminal activity. The Central Statistics Office official records show a 26.2% decrease in burglary in the last three months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014.

It is important to acknowledge that where we invest and have targeted operations they can make a difference. The figures are available from around the country and they do vary. It is important to continue the investment. I take the Deputy's point about the engagement of An Garda Síochána with local communities. It is vital from an intelligence point of view and very often gives security to people.

Equally, however, we need gardaí who are mobile and have the right equipment and vehicles. We are also investing in that area. The Garda national model of community policing is a priority and continues to play a key part in responding to crime. As we recruit more gardaí and as we free up more gardaí from other duties which civilians take over, we can ensure that in most communities we will have more community gardaí. The Irish model of policing is built on the gardaí who are in contact around a given area being community police. We do not separate out the titles too much but I take the essential point the Deputy is making about the importance of community policing and developing the community policing model is in the strategy programme for the Garda this year. It is a priority.

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