Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for attending. I have raised in the House previously the issue of community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes in rural areas, particularly the rural part of east Galway, which I represent. I would like to draw the attention of the Minister of State to an aggravated burglary which took place last Friday night at the home of the parish priest in Caherlistrane, County Galway, the Very Reverend Pat O'Brien. As Fr. O'Brien pointed out, it was the second raid on his house. During the first raid, a few weeks ago, a small sum was taken from a Trócaire box. The second raid was more serious. Four men wearing balaclavas and gloves broke into the parochial house between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. and tied up the priest. One of the men was carrying a crowbar. Fr. O'Brien, who is in his 60s, was the only occupant of the house at the time. The gang ransacked the house for over an hour before making off with a sum of cash. One of the gang's persistent demands was for gold. After the gang fled, Fr. O'Brien managed to free himself and raised the alarm at a neighbour's house. He was not seriously injured but is understood to be very traumatised by the incident. The gardaí in Tuam have reported that no arrests have been made.

Swift action is needed to address the rise in rural crime across the county of Galway. At the joint policing committee meetings that I have attended, public representatives from all parties and none have talked about the fact that ten Garda stations were closed in the county. They have stated that recruitment is required and that extra gardaí are required to address the growing problem. We also need the necessary vehicles, which I understand can be provided because there is some funding available. I hope the Minister will lift the ban on Garda recruitment. The public deserves a decent service.

At present, there are those who are making a career out of criminal activity, as is evident from the raid on the house of Fr. Pat O'Brien. This House has discussed the cash-for-gold industry, which appears to be a contributor to the increase in rural crime. One of the burglars who raided the house of Fr. Pat O'Brien was obsessed with gold. There have been numerous media articles on the theft of scrap metal. There are anecdotal reports on the theft of scrap metal, precious metals and jewellery to obtain cash. This matter is of particular public concern because of the rising level of theft fuelled by rising metal prices. Precious metal prices have increased by 50% since 2009. The reasons for the current focus on this form of theft are the economic downturn and the increase in metal prices worldwide. The relative ease of securing cash in the second-hand trade is also a factor. Obviously, there are no official statistics on the number of scrap metal sales or thefts. The second-hand trade, with the exception of pawnbroking, is not regulated by legislation. The pawnbroking industry is not the same as the cash-for-gold industry. Cash-for-gold businesses are currently not registered or legislated for in any specific way. Consequently, the general criminal law on stolen goods is used when there is crime in this area. There has been a Private Members' proposal on this. I hope that today or very shortly we will get some more information on what is happening in respect of the cash-for-gold issue.

Fr. O'Brien is a very forgiving man. It is reported in the newspaper that he said to one of the criminals that he would say mass for the raiders. It is indicative of his humility that he was able to identify with one of the raiders, who was good to him. He was terrified of another individual who raided his house. I have known Fr. Pat O'Brien for years and went to secondary school with him. It is typical of him to be forgiving and to give such an example in the approach to Easter week.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I am speaking on behalf of the Minister for Justice and Equality, who is unfortunately away on business and cannot attend. The Minister is very conscious of the deep distress that burglary and similar crimes can cause to householders in both urban and rural areas, in addition to the broader impact it can have in terms of fear of crime in our communities. He also shares the justifiable outrage of all decent people at those who commit aggravated burglaries in the homes of the elderly and more vulnerable. The Minister is also very conscious of the need to support strong partnerships between communities and local gardaí.

With regard to the policing response to burglaries, the Minister is fully confident that the Garda is doing everything in its power to bring the perpetrators of such crimes to justice. In this regard, he is in close touch with the Garda Commissioner and he is assured that An Garda Síochána is devoting all the resources necessary to confront those who seek to profit from burglary.

The Minister welcomes the progress being made as part of Operation Fiacla, which is focused on identifying and targeting gangs involved in burglaries throughout the country. Operation Fiacla is intelligence-driven and, as part of that operation, specific burglary initiatives have been implemented in each Garda region to target suspected offenders. The Garda authorities have indicated that, as of the end of February 2013, 4,226 persons have been arrested and 2,327 persons have been charged under the operation, reflecting the extent of the operation and the impact it is having. The Minister is also a strong supporter of the work of the community alert programme. His Department, along with the HSE, has for many years provided funding for this valuable national programme, which was set up initially in 1985 by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda authorities. This programme has since developed into a national movement comprising more than 1,300 local groups which work with the Garda to promote crime prevention and improve the security of older and vulnerable persons in the community. Community alert harnesses, in a modern context, the qualities of neighbourliness and mutual support which have long been characteristic of community life in Ireland.

Earlier this year, the Minster was pleased to participate with the Garda Commissioner in the launch of new Garda community crime prevention guidelines, which contain advice for those wishing to set up community alert, neighbourhood watch or similar groups and outline the support that their local community gardaí will provide. These new guidelines take account of societal changes which have occurred since the initial schemes were established and provide a step-by-step guide to the establishment of future schemes. They also enhance both individual and community participation in crime prevention.

The Garda national model of community policing aims to build upon and enhance good community policing practice. It recognises the need for dedicated community police officers, of whom there are approximately 1,000 deployed in communities countrywide. It is also worth emphasising, as the national model does, that all gardaí have a role to play in community policing, and this is very much a part of the general ethos of the force. To further underline the commitment of the Garda authorities to community alert, the Commissioner has signed a renewed memorandum of understanding with Muintir na Tíre, which provides an updated framework for the operation of the programme. The Minister will continue to support the Garda in its ongoing operations to clamp down on those who seek to perpetrate cowardly attacks on innocent householders. He also reaffirms his support for the operation of the community alert programme and for effective partnerships generally between communities and local gardaí in tackling all forms of crime.

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important matter which impacts not only on the individuals or households burgled but also on entire communities.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I again emphasise the need for community initiatives in rural areas and particularly community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes in bigger towns. For some years it was difficult to establish a community alert scheme in a town because people were not directly affected by this type of crime. However, these days meetings in rural areas to discuss the establishment of community alert and neighbourhood watch schemes are well attended. A useful tool in community alert schemes is texting by mobile phone which has proved very effective. I have been in people's homes at the time they have received text messages about unusual events occurring in the area and I know this provide them with great assurance. They often also receive follow-up texts providing an explanation for what has happened. Resources are badly needed in this regard and it is welcome that such a measure will be supported by the Minister. Texting arrangements are crucially important in the reporting of unusual activity.

Perhaps the Minister of State might respond to my query about recruitment and the provision of Garda vehicles which are important in dealing with crime and vandalism, as occurred in the case of Fr. O'Brien. As regards attacks on people's homes, as has happened on many occasions in the case of people living alone, particularly the elderly, the focus of the Minister and the Garda Síochána should be on ensuring those committing these crimes are dealt with.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I sympathise with the Deputy and Fr. O'Brien who, as correctly pointed out by the Deputy, is a most forgiving man. While I am not certain that forgiveness will do in this instance, it would be nice if we could all adopt that attitude.

On recruitment, like all other Departments, the Department of Justice and Equality, owing to the gap between what we take in in taxation and what we spend and, as a result of our being in a bail-out programme, our not being in full control of resources, is required to make substantial savings year on year. There are, therefore, no immediate plans to engage in further recruitment to the Garda Síochána. However, the Government is confident that in the event of our exiting the bail-out programme at the end of this year and once again being in full control of resources, should further gardaí be required as a result of retirements or personnel leaving the force to do other things, this issue will be reconsidered.