Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will ensure that the distribution of Garda resources will adequately reflect changing criminal patterns, when travelling gangs of criminals are making the short journey to rural towns and communities and contributing to escalated burglary rates; and if he will ensure that the allocation of Garda resources now and in the future will take cognisance of this development. [11718/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely aware of the distress which burglaries can cause for affected householders and I have been assured that Garda management is constantly reviewing strategies to tackle this offence.

Responsibility for the allocation of resources, including personnel, within the Force rests with the Garda Commissioner in consultation with his senior management team and the allocation of personnel is determined by a number of factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Division.

One of the key objectives in the Policing Plan of An Garda Síochána for 2011 is for Effective Roads Policing. This is achieved with measures to "increase roads policing capability in An Garda Síochána to deny the use of our roads for criminal activity" and particularly involves the use of intelligence led checkpoints and patrols and the continued development of the Automated Number Plate Recognition System. All members of An Garda Síochána, including those engaged in roads policing, play a pivotal role in targeting travelling criminals both on motorways and secondary roads, and work closely in a multi-agency approach to implement a co-ordinated use of Garda resources.

The Government's Programme for National Recovery also attaches a high priority to community policing. Community policing is at the heart of policing in Ireland, and has an important role in informing intelligence in relation to organised crime groups.