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

I am supplying that information in tabular form. I do not have the time to go through the detail of that in the House, but it will be supplied to the Deputies who ask the question about the number of stations with the PULSE system. Crime statistics are compiled by the CSO, based on PULSE data. The statistics for Westmeath Garda division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. The Deputy will be aware that in the most recent crime figures that were released, there were decreases in many crime categories.

There were a few increases as well. Following Operation Thor and the other targeted projects and operations in which the Garda has been involved, we clearly see results. For example, in the Westmeath Garda division the figures show a reduction in burglary of 36%. As I said to Deputy Rabbitte, the quality of crime statistics is a national and international issue. Work is under way in this regard. The Central Statistics Office, CSO, has done two reports on crime statistics already. The second report showed a further improvement in crime recording and classification. It is an ongoing project. The CSO will continue to monitor the statistics that are being gathered.

The inspectorate first identified the issue and then the CSO followed on at my request in terms of looking at the quality of the data. The second review, which was published in September 2016, indicated that the estimated impact of the issues identified in the Garda Inspectorate report in regard to recorded crime is substantially less than was the case in the first review. A strong focus must be kept on the issue. The more resources and training we can give to An Garda Síochána on the issue the better. Many steps have been taken by the Garda in terms of promoting the importance of the issue, sending out information to gardaí and making sure statistics are properly recorded.

Some of the issues raised by the Garda Inspectorate concern the need to maximise procedures to ensure the recording of crimes through GISC, which is in Castlebar. New measures are now in place to improve data quality, including a new incident recording process. We have the upgrades to the system and we have new procedures within An Garda Síochána and the combination of those will mean there can be more confidence in the crime statistics being recorded throughout the country.

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