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

Crime statistics are compiled by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, based on PULSE data and the statistics for Mayo Garda division reflect all crime incidents recorded by An Garda Síochána for that area. In the most recent CSO figures, for the second quarter of 2016, there were decreases in many crime categories. This reflects the success of the concerted Garda drive against crime being implemented under Operation Thor. In Mayo Garda division, the figures show a reduction in burglary of 22%. That will be welcomed by everybody.

We have had the two reviews of the statistics and the Deputy will have heard the points I made earlier in that regard, so I will not repeat them. When looking at the CSO statistics and raising questions about them, it is important that people also look at the victimisation survey, which reflected decreases as well. That is carried out directly by the CSO with victims. It is a community survey and it is important to reflect on that.

The Deputy will be aware that most crime incidents are recorded via the Garda information services centre, GISC, based in Castlebar. This provides a round-the-clock service which enables gardaí to phone in details of a crime incident, and specially trained staff in GISC facilitate its correct recording and classification on PULSE. As a result, a lack of access to PULSE in a particular Garda station should not prevent the accurate recording of crime data. In fact, the latest information from the Garda authorities is that 92% of crime incidents are recorded via GISC, with the balance being recorded by gardaí directly on PULSE.

Some of the issues raised by the Garda Inspectorate regarding crime statistics concerned the need for procedures to ensure that the recording of crimes through GISC is maximised, because obviously there are issues in that regard as well. An Garda Síochána has introduced new measures in recent times to improve data quality, including a new incident recording process. This, together with important upgrades of the PULSE system during 2015, is supporting the improvement of Garda crime data as well as procedures for the supervision of investigations. The supervision of investigations is an important element in ensuring that crimes are recorded properly and that new recruits are supervised.

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