Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 137: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of serious sexual assaults in the Dublin Garda north central district in 2005 and to date in 2006; the special action the Garda is taking following the recent series of gang rapes in Dublin's north inner city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43535/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the statistics provided on the following table show the number of sexual offences recorded and detected in the North Central Division of the Dublin Metropolitan Region for 2005 and to date in 2006. Local Garda management is aware of the increase in such offences being reported and have directed that additional high-visibility beat and mobile patrols by uniform and plain-clothes Gardaí be carried out. Relevant information regarding known offenders for sexual offences is regularly circulated to personnel within the Division. All offences reported to the Garda authorities in the Division are being actively investigated.

I am further informed that Garda management has met with a number of relevant stakeholders, including representatives of local property management companies, residents and tenants to provide personal crime prevention advice. The meetings also discussed other preventative measures, including the provision of CCTV systems and appropriate lighting, that can be put in place to prevent this type of criminality.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gun attacks resulting in death in 2005 and to date in 2006; the number of detections made; and the number of charges brought. [43536/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that there were 21 murders with firearms in 2005, of which four were detected and two have proceedings commenced. In 2006 to date there have been 24 murders with firearms, of which eight were detected and five have proceedings commenced. Operation Anvil is central to the strategy of the Garda Síochána in combating serious crime and in particular murder. The Operation, which commenced in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in May, 2005 and was subsequently extended nationwide at my request, has proved to be very successful in disrupting the criminal activities of a number of key criminal gangs. It has resulted in a number of high-profile arrests and the acquisition of intelligence on the movements of criminals. Notable improvements have been achieved in the recorded number of incidents of crime being targeted by the Operation.

The most recent figures available to me show that since the introduction of Operation Anvil in May 2005, 549 firearms have been seized in the Dublin Metropolitan Region. Up to 19 November, Operation Anvil has resulted in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in more than 3,350 arrests for the serious crimes of murder, robbery, burglary and serious assaults, including 56 arrests in connection with murder. Outside the DMR and up to 1 November, 2,600 persons have been arrested and 238 firearms seized.

In addition to the introduction of Operation Anvil, the Garda Commissioner in November 2005 augmented the Organised Crime Unit at the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation with an additional 55 Garda members to address the problem of criminal gang activity. Enforcement by the Unit has resulted in further firearms being seized and a number of persons arrested, thereby disrupting their criminal activities. There has also been an increase in Garda monitoring and targeting of individuals and groups involved in armed crime in particular.

Following the completion of the weapons amnesty on 31 October, the mandatory minimum sentences in relation to possession of firearms came into effect on 1 November. The penalties available to the courts have now been greatly strengthened and stringent penalties now apply.

I am very satisfied with the outcome of the 2007 Estimates process. The allocation for the Garda Vote is increasing by €135.3 million to €1.445 billion — an increase of 10% on 2006. This year's budget in turn represented an increase of 13% on 2005 and an increase of 85% in real terms since 1997. The additional overtime allocation included in this will yield almost three million extra man hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State. As a result, innovative and targeted anti-crime strategies and operations such as Operation Anvil will be continued and intensified on a nationwide basis. This budgetary increase demonstrates that this Government continues to provide record resources for anti-crime strategies.

The Government and I are also committed to increasing the strength of the Garda Síochána. I am informed that the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on 16 November, following the attestation of 299 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 21.5% (2,298) in the personnel strength of the Force in the period since then. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. Next year will see more than 275 fully trained Gardaí graduating from the Garda College every quarter, allowing the Commissioner to focus a highly visible policing presence throughout the country.

I would like to stress that all killings, regardless of the background of the victim or the method of killing, are the subject of a rigorous investigation by the Garda authorities.