Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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26. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the measures being put in place to tackle rural crime, especially against farmers. [33149/17]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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What measures will the Government introduce to deal with the ever-increasing problem of rural crime, in particular, crimes against farmers involving the stealing of agricultural equipment and other devices on their farms?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact of crime on rural communities, including the serious damage done by organised gangs that target rural areas to engage in burglary and other property crime to which he referred.

As the Deputy will be aware, Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime in the first instance. This comprehensive operation is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including an additional allocation of €88.5 million for overtime in 2017. We have also invested heavily in the Garda fleet, with more than 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015, and a provision of €46 million has been made for new Garda vehicles under the capital plan 2016-2021.

The additional investments in policing make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting burglaries and related crime via Operation Thor. Under Operation Thor, there have been more than 74,000 targeted checkpoints and 52,400 crime prevention patrols across the State. This concentrated policing activity has produced in the region of 4,400 arrests and 4,900 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary, have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.

It is encouraging to note that since the launch of the operation, the Central Statistics Office burglary figures have shown a significant downward trend. The30% decrease in burglary for the 12 months of 2016 when compared with 2015 parallels the implementation of Operation Thor.

The Government has also made it a particular priority to strengthen our legislative provisions through the recent enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars with previous convictions who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. This new legislation is now available to support the work being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.

The programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an essential feature of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will be aware that, as part of the overall strategy to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders, including the farming organisations. A range of partnership initiatives have been established between An Garda Síochána and important rural-based organisations such as the Irish Farmers Association, Muintir na Tíre and other rural community groups. These include the well-established community alert programme, the work of the metal theft forum, the Crimestoppers campaign highlighting the theft of livestock, the Theftstop initiative relating to farm equipment and the highly successful Garda text alert scheme.

Underpinning all of these measures is the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. The Government is pursuing its plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021, comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Garda Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits, up to 500 civilians and approximately 300 members of the Garda Reserve. These appointments will support the wide-ranging reform plan is in train in An Garda Síochána and benefit policing services for all communities, whether in rural or urban areas.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Many party colleagues who represent rural constituencies mention to me the major problem of crime in rural communities, particularly that perpetrated against farmers through the theft of agricultural equipment. Deputy Cahill recently brought a delegation from County Tipperary to discuss with me ongoing crime issues in the county. This issue is not confined to Tipperary but affects all areas, especially in the countryside.

A recent survey carried out by one of the farming organisations showed that ongoing agricultural crime was creating significant costs to individual farmers who had been victims of these crimes. The statistics indicate that rural crime is costing €2.4 million per annum, with an average cost of €4,300 for each farming victim. Large numbers of farmers have had equipment stolen. They know that individuals come in to the community, case the area, spot where equipment is being kept and take it and other items required to run a farm, including diesel.

I note the Minister's comments on Operation Thor. While the operation has undoubtedly been a success, the problem has not been solved. The Minister refers to statistics showing a decline in the number of burglaries but if the figures are broken down, I do not believe they will show a decline in the number of burglaries in rural communities. This problem is faced by all members of the farming community and it is becoming more significant. New measures are needed to deal with it.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I acknowledge the importance of community-based support groups and voluntary organisations, which continue to be assisted by my Department in many endeavours. I am familiar with the report to which the Deputy refers, which was compiled by the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association. I welcome the report and similar reports and look forward to giving all of them due consideration when they have been published or dispatched to me. The report to which the Deputy referred covers a period of 24 months beginning at the start of May 2014 and concluding at the end of May 2016, which includes a period of 17 months that predated the launch - in November 2015 - of the sustained drive against burglary and property crime being pursued by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor .

I assure the Deputy that the Government will continue to make available to the Garda an appropriate level of resources to ensure that we continue to operate against a proliferation of rural crime and that the burglary figures continue to decline.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The information I am receiving from colleagues does not support the Minister's statistical analysis. It suggests that a significant problem remains and that the decline in crime, as indicated by the Minister, has not occurred. The Minister also indicated that he wishes to support community-based support groups. This support is important. The Minister will have received an email from the secretary of the Lisdoonvarna, Doolin and Kilshanny community text alert group, which has 223 paid up members. The email brought to my attention and that of other Deputies the fact that VAT is charged on texts being sent by a community group. We need to take innovative measures to ensure individuals who are offering community based solutions to the problem of rural crime receive State support. It is not good enough to indicate that the Government will provide gardaí who will support people in rural areas. We must support individuals who are doing their best to pursue a community-based approach to protecting agricultural products. This could involve reducing or abolishing VAT on text schemes.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I confirm that I raised the specific issue of texts this morning in a conversation with the Garda Commissioner. We are considering new initiatives that could allow text messaging to be carried out in a way that is not unduly burdensome on communities.

I have made clear to the Garda Commissioner and in public that An Garda Síochána will continue to have all necessary resources to provide high visibility policing and tackle serious criminality in rural areas. An additional €88.5 million in overtime is to be provided this year to maintain an adequate policing response to the current situation on an ongoing basis in respect of concentrated policing targeting gang-related crime, continued targeting of burglaries and related crime via Operation Thor and continued support for measures against terrorism.