Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to address the concerns of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford regarding security of homes in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11172/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am concerned at the incidence of burglaries and threats to the security of people's homes. Consequently, one of the policing priorities which I set for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is achieving the maximum levels of safety for local communities. The Garda Commissioner shares my concerns. An Garda Síochána continually develop and implement crime prevention and detection strategies to target those who are committing burglaries. These include intelligence-led and focused operations and a strong emphasis on crime prevention and reduction, with the aim of reducing not only crime but also the fear of crime and so ensuring a better quality of community life for all.

A community policing ethos drives the work of An Garda Síochána. The number of personnel assigned as dedicated community Gardaí has increased from 630 at the end of 2007 to 1,058 at the end of 2009, an increase of 68%. An Garda Síochána also support a number of initiatives which promote a community contribution to increasing public safety, including Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch. In rural areas the Community Alert programme, which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with An Garda Síochána in 1985, is a national movement comprising more than 1,300 local groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of vulnerable people in rural Ireland, particularly the elderly. My Department provides financial support to Community Alert.

Penalties for burglary and aggravated burglary are severe. A person who is convicted on indictment of the offence of burglary is liable to a fine or to a term of imprisonment of up to 14 years. A conviction for aggravated burglary carries a sentence of life imprisonment. Nevertheless, I have met the Attorney General with regard to the issue of mandatory sentencing for such crimes, and he has requested the Law Reform Commission to examine the issue.

If members of the public have suspicions that goods being sold or traded may have been stolen, they should refer these suspicions to An Garda Síochána for investigation. An Garda Síochána also encourage people to put measures in place in their homes to protect themselves and their property and reduce their vulnerability to such crime.