James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of policing in rural areas and how it is being strengthened. The Government is committed to ensuring that there is strong, visible community policing across rural and urban Ireland. Under the Garda Síochána Act 2005, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including Garda operations aimed at preventing and detecting crime. As Minister of State, I have no direct role in these matters.

This year’s winter phase of Operation Thor was launched by the Garda in October 2021 and is designed to tackle burglaries and associated criminal activities, which often increase in the darker winter months, through targeted enforcement and crime prevention activity and information. This annual focus from Operation Thor has proved highly successful in tackling property-related crime since its inception in November 2015. In 2015, there were in excess of 18,800 residential burglaries reported. By contrast, in 2021 there were just over 6,000 residential burglaries reported, a reduction of over 66% or approximately 13,000 fewer burglaries. While the Covid-19 pandemic was clearly a factor in the reduction, with people more likely to be present in their homes throughout the day, there has been a marked and consistent downward trend in such offences since the introduction of this Garda focus through Operation Thor.

The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of more than €2 billion for 2022, including funding for recruitment of up to 800 additional Garda trainees and up to 400 Garda staff. I am glad to confirm that over 10,000 applications have been received, which shows a commitment to public service and a belief in An Garda Síochána.

In addition to new recruits, the roll-out of the new Garda operating model will support the redeployment of gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. My Department has for many years provided funding for the employment and associated costs of the national community alert programme, including the employment of regional development officers. In 2021, my Department committed in the region of €150,000 to local communities for the text alert scheme administered by Muintir na Tíre.

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