Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 373: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Whitechurch and Carrignavar area, County Cork, for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005; if he will give consideration to changing the management arrangements of gardaí in order that the area comes under the jurisdiction of either Blarney or Cork city rather than Cobh which is 25 miles away. [15263/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Glanmire area of County Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15264/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Blarney area of County Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15265/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Dripsey and Berrings area of County Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15266/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Knockraha area of County Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15267/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Gurranabraher area of Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15268/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 379: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Blackpool area of Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15269/05]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 380: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for the Mayfield area of Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 and to date in 2005. [15270/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 to 380, inclusive, together.

Concerning crime figures, the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly crime rate has decreased from 6.7 per 1,000 population to 6 per 1,000 over the longer period of eleven quarters for which figures are available. This trend is reflected throughout most Garda districts in the country. In interpreting these figures, account has also to be taken of the introduction of the new PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 which led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. Taking into account the significant increase in our population since 1995, the headline crime rate has fallen from 29 per 1,000 population in 1995 to 25 per 1,000 population in 2004.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the assistant commissioner of the southern region recently established a review group under the chairmanship of a chief superintendent to examine both the administrative and operational issues in relation to the areas mentioned and to make recommendations. The result of this review is not yet available. The Deputy will be aware that the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the following tables show the headline crime by group from 2000 to 2005, up to 30 April, for the Cobh Garda district, which incorporates the Glanmire, Knockraha, Whitechurch and Carrignavar areas, the Mayfield Garda district, which includes the Blackpool area, the Macroom Garda district, including the Dripsey and Berrings areas, and the Gurranabraher Garda district that includes the Blarney area.