Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 1015: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to end the scourge of car theft and joyriding in parts of the Dublin North-East constituency; and if a sustained effort will be made in this regard during the run up to Hallowe'en. [25445/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, so-called joyriding is a complex problem which, while requiring significant inputs from the criminal justice system, can only be tackled to lasting effect through a multi-faceted and multi-agency response involving both the community and relevant statutory bodies.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that gardaí at Santry, Raheny and Coolock districts patrol the Dublin north-east area. There are community police assigned to these areas who have an excellent rapport with the local community and offer advice, support and assistance to the community. I am assured by the Garda authorities that a sustained effort will be made by gardaí in the division of Dublin north to address the issue of car theft and joyriding in the run up to Hallowe'en.

Specific strategies have been put in place to reduce the incidence of joyriding and a large number of stolen vehicles were recovered in the division of Dublin north in 2004. Substantial resources have been allocated to this critical area of policing, including specialist policing units from the divisional traffic section, divisional task force and the detective units. Operational strategy is supported by an effective partnership approach involving community representatives, the Garda Síochána and the public authority. I have been further informed by the Garda authorities that the current policing plans for the area are designed, inter alia, to address the issue of joyriding and the prevention of anti-social and public order offences.