Dáil debates

Thursday, 7 December 2006

3:00 pm

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the recent findings of the Eircom PhoneWatch burglary report for 2006 which showed an increase of 25% in the rate of burglaries and 35% in the Dublin area; the steps the Garda is taking to combat burglaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41909/06]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am aware of the report in question which asserts that there was a 26% increase in burglaries in the 12 month period from June 2005 to June 2006 and a 12% increase in burglaries in Dublin — not, as the question suggested, 35%. I am a little perplexed by this because when I looked at the report on the Internet, it stated "the eircom PhoneWatch Burglary Report was conducted by the OSG Group, the country's leading loss adjuster, based on a sample of more than 10,747 household insurance claims in the twelve months between 1st June 2005 and 1st June 2006". The report states:

The eircom PhoneWatch Burglary Report was conducted by the OSG Group, the country's leading loss adjustor, based on a sample of more than 10,747 household insurance claims in the twelve months between 1st June 2005 and 1st June 2006.

*Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform Headline Crime statistics indicate that 26,270 burglaries were reported during the period of June 2005 and May 2006. This represents an 8% increase on 2004/2005 figures for the same period.

The problem with this is that it is based on a sample of 10,000.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Nearly 11,000.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is a fair sample but I presume one would not be able to make an insurance claim unless one reported a burglary to the Garda Síochána. This is normally part and parcel of making a claim.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Not necessary, but usually.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I understood insurance companies would not pay out on a burglary claim unless the burglary were reported to the Garda Síochána. Otherwise they would be very vulnerable to fraudulent claims.

I find it somewhat perplexing that the figures in this survey which is partial and based on a loss adjuster approach are different from those of the Garda Síochána, given that I would expect every loss adjuster's burglary report to be required, by definition and on a prudential basis, to be reported to the Garda.

On the methodology of the report, I am not clear whether the statistics are compiled using the strict legal definition of the offence of burglary. If a bicycle is taken from a front garden, some might call it a household theft case, but it is not regarded as a burglary in the Garda statistics.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister is into semantics now.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not; I am just trying to explain the difference because the Deputy's question is a serious one. It implies that a private sector body's report seems to differ substantially from that of the Central Statistics Office. I am slightly perplexed about how there could be such a wide divergence. It could be a definitional matter. A possible explanation is that the taking of a garden spade from a back garden is classified as a household burglary, although it is not.

It is unclear whether the figures relate to the company's clients only or if account has been taken of the increase in the company's client base, which according to the report amounted to 17% in the past year. Many more people are using the PhoneWatch system. Therefore, an increase in the number of complaints through that system would give rise to these statistics. I am just positing these points as possible explanations for the divergence. In addition, the report states its figures are based on a sample of household insurance claims for the period in question.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

For these reasons, I do not believe the figures in the report are directly comparable to the statistics based on Garda Síochána data. Those statistics have until recently been compiled and published by the Garda Síochána, but the provisional headline crime statistics for the third quarter of 2006 were compiled and published by the CSO. The CSO will compile and publish all future crime statistics, following my commitment to bring the CSO's independence and statistical expertise to bear on the compilation of the crime statistics.

The CSO figures for the third quarter show an overall decrease in headline offences of 1.6% compared with the same quarter in 2005. They also show a decrease of 12.2% in burglary offences in the quarter. While they show an increase of 23.1% in aggravated burglaries, this represents a very small increase in absolute terms, from 65 to 80. With regard to the second quarter, compared with the same quarter in 2005 there was a decrease of 9% in burglaries and no change in aggravated burglaries.

With regard to the Dublin metropolitan region, the Garda Síochána's annual report for 2005 shows there was a decrease of 4% in burglaries for the year. During the longer period of 2003 to 2005, there was a decrease in the Dublin metropolitan region of recorded burglary offences of 5%. While there was, however, a 6% increase nationally in burglaries in 2005, there was a decrease of 2% in aggravated burglaries. In response to this, the deputy commissioner, operations, commissioned an assessment of the causes of the rise in crimes of burglary in the year. That assessment has contributed to the improvement in the figures in 2006 to date.

A significant contribution to the improvement has also been made by Operation Anvil which commenced in the Dublin metropolitan region in May 2005 with the aim of addressing the problem of serious crimes such as robberies and burglaries and of combating an emerging gun culture. At my request Operation Anvil was extended outside the Dublin metropolitan region during 2006. The most recent figures available to me show that the operation is having encouraging successes. Up to 19 November, there was a total of 3,349 arrests in the Dublin metropolitan region, of which 1,701 were for burglary and 796 for robbery.

The Garda Síochána Act provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas Members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. The Garda Síochána relies on the ongoing and active support of the public to enable it to be at its most effective in its functions. The committees will have a useful contribution to make in reducing the incidence of crimes such as burglary by mobilising the resources of the local authority, the community and individual residents.

Twenty-two joint policing committees are being established by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner in a pilot phase and I intend to extend them to all local authorities in 2007.

The Garda supports and fosters a number of crime prevention measures that have direct value for householders, including the neighbourhood watch scheme which was established in 1985 by the Garda as a crime prevention measure for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 neighbourhood watch schemes in operation. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in neighbourhood watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such initiatives. The Garda Síochána has been a strategic partner in driving and supporting Neighbourhood Watch through its community relations section and local Garda management and has deployed crime prevention officers and liaison gardaí to assist schemes.

In addition, the community alert programme is a community-based crime prevention initiative in rural communities which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with its network comprising of approximately 1,249 local community alert groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities who are vulnerable, in particular the elderly, by crime prevention, neighbourliness and self reliance, general community safety and well-being, accident prevention, promotion of personal safety and having an antipoverty focus awareness of social inclusion. My Department has for some time funded the work of development officers working to expand community alert.

I am strongly of the view that community organisations have, through their support and co-operation with the Garda Síochána, an important role to play in crime prevention and the promotion of community safety and I very much support the work in this area being carried out by Muintir na Tíre through community alert.

I recently determined priorities for the Garda Síochána for 2007 under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005. These priorities include achieving an increase in public confidence in law enforcement through significantly increased high visibility policing in the community; monitoring and improving response times to emergency calls while ensuring persons reporting any crime are dealt with sympathetically and efficiently; using the civilianisation process and the outsourcing of appropriate services to increase the number of gardaí on operational duties; and taking effective steps to protect vulnerable people living in isolated areas.

I am confident these priorities will help in combating burglary and reducing the fear thereof in society.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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We have had a statistical analysis rather than a response from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. In truth, the Minister has acknowledged the report is based on the work of an independent company with no axe to grind. It sampled nearly 11,000 household insurance claims by people who certainly believe they were burgled, regardless of the statistical gloss the Minister puts on the statistics.

The Minister is correct and my question was wrong in that the report indicates an increase in the burglary rate of 35% outside Dublin. This is an extraordinary increase. There has been an increase of 26% nationally. The Minister might question the figures today but he should note that the original response to the statistics on the website, which response was by a spokesperson for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, was that following an increase in the number of burglaries in 2005, the Minister requested the Garda Commissioner to assess the causes of the rise and to take action to tackle the problem. The Minister obviously accepted the facts at face value initially although he might want to muddy the waters somewhat now. Even without data such as these, one will know, from clinic cases and calls, that the problem has worsened. I received two calls in this regard today, including one from an elderly couple who were burgled in their house in New Ross and, therefore, want a panic button.

Does the Minister agree that one of the most surprising and worrying trends is the increase in the number of burglaries that occurred when residents were at home? The original PhoneWatch survey, using the same methodology as the survey under discussion, showed that 50% of household burglaries occurred when the occupants were at home. This figure has increased to 70%, as indicated in the most recent survey. The new brazenness of burglaries generates even more fear and danger.

Does the Minister agree that my proposal to reconstitute the Garda Síochána to provide more effective community policing which has received considerable public support is important and appropriate in addressing the real fears and vulnerability of householders in both urban and rural communities?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The answer to the last question is definitely yes. Visible community policing and the use of mountain bike patrols and the like comprise a very strong counter-agent to burglary.

Deputy Burton who tabled the question seems to have gotten one point wrong because the burglary report states "Dublin continues to top Ireland's burglary table with a 12% increase in burglaries, representing 35% of all burglaries nationwide". The Deputy's question states there was an increase of 25% in the rate of burglaries and 35% in the Dublin area.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I corrected that. The Minister was not listening to me.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am just making the point that it is simply not correct for the benefit of those who are listening to this debate on their monitors.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The report states the number of burglaries in the rest of the country increased by 35%, which is even more alarming for the rest of us.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It does not.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The number of burglaries outside Dublin increased by 35%.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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That is wrong; that is what I am asking the Deputy to appreciate. If he looks at the headline of the survey, he will note that it states, "Dublin continues to top Ireland's burglary table with a 12% increase in burglaries, representing 35% of all burglaries nationwide".

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is not what I am referring to.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am reading from the report.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am reading it also. It states that in the 12-month period between June 2005 and June 2006 the number of burglaries increased by 26% nationally. It is correct that one third occurred in Dublin. It implies the haul increased by 17% and that the number of burglaries outside Dublin rose by 35%.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I see that; it is further down.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Yes, I am further along the road.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The question reads, "35% in the Dublin area".

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is true also.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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That is not true.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Some 35% of all burglaries occur in Dublin, but the increase outside Dublin is in the order of 35%. These are two separate facts.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Yes, but one fact is that the number of burglaries did not increase by 35% in Dublin.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I corrected that at the beginning.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Central Statistics Office has analysed the reported burglaries and, for the third quarter, it indicates an overall decrease in headline offences of 1.6%——

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Headline offences.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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May I finish my answer? The CSO highlighted a rate of 12.2% in burglary offences in the third quarter. It is not a case of my trying to manipulate the figures. I am pointing out that the CSO has been given the job to monitor crime figures and that what it is saying does not seem to correspond——

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is because all burglaries are not reported.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I could get quite bemused by the Minister tangling around with his 1% up and 1% down. It reminds me of the old saying about "lies, damned lies and statistics" and I am not being unparliamentary in saying so. Perhaps my approach is based on my being from west Cork, but I note we have approximately 500 burglaries every week. This is a horrendous figure and we should not really be talking about whether the rate increased or decreased by 1%. We should accept that burglaries are causing considerable fear and concern and, as Deputy Howlin rightly pointed out, yet more concern is being generated because so many of them occur while the home owners are actually at home. We should be talking about how we can tackle this.

On the Minister agreeing with the approach in respect of community policing, is the bottom line not that we are paying for not putting in place the extra gardaí promised four years ago? Regardless of whether we are referring to community police or others, we do not have sufficient numbers. Until the 2,000 additional gardaí promised are provided, we will not have enough for community policing or other forms of policing in the State.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not trying to get stuck into a statistical battle. I was asked to comment on a particular report by Eircom PhoneWatch and to accept the proposition that it has no axe to grind in this matter. It published this report to encourage people to use its alarm system.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister is dangerously close to his colleague's view that somebody is——

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy should calm down for a second. We have all agreed to ask the Central Statistics Office, CSO, to monitor crime figures and, having agreed to do that, let us stick with its statistics rather than use surveys which seem to be at variance with its statistics.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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What about unreported crime?

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I would like to know if there is a problem with the CSO figures.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister will not know because he dismisses any other statistics.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am not willing to accept that, having entrusted the preparation of crime statistics to the CSO, I should now say that a commercial survey is more accurate.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister has dismissed a reputable organisation that provides security for many homes. Will he acknowledge that there is such a thing as unreported crime and that he should be mindful to ensure statistics are accurate?

Séamus Pattison (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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We must proceed to Question No. 7.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I have indicated that, as far as I could see, the report to which Deputy Howlin drew my attention, was based on a sample prepared by a loss adjuster's firm.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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It was a sample of 11,000 claims.

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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It is my understanding, but maybe not the Deputy's understanding, that one cannot recover on an insurance claim unless one reports it to the Garda Síochána. I cannot understand how there could be such a wide disparity. I do not believe people would report matters to their loss adjusters and attempt to make a claim without reporting the theft to the Garda Síochána.

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is hiding in statistical bushes.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Once again. It is always another person's fault.