Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 481: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recorded cases of the crime of card skimming here for the past year; if there has been an increase in the number compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15379/11]

Nicky McFadden (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 488: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the prevalence nationwide of skimming devices at ATMs for fraud purposes; and the measures being taken to overcome the problem. [15659/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 481 and 488 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the use of a skimming device in relation to debit and credit cards or ATM cards will amount to offences under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. In addition, a person who uses a credit or debit card which has been skimmed may be committing a number of offences under the 2001 Act.

The number of incidents involving card skimming recorded on the Garda PULSE system for the period 2007 to 9 June 2011 is set out in the table below. These figures do indicate an increase in the number of recorded incidents for the year 2011 (up to 9 June 2011) when compared with the previous two years.

In January this year An Garda Síochána put the crime reduction/prevention initiative 'Operation 'Glint' into place, under the direction and control of the Assistant Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Region. While the principal aim of Operation Glint is to disrupt the activities of those involved in ATM fraud, it also serves to alert the public to the use of skimming devices by criminals.

Following the roll-out of this initiative, a large number of skimming devices were seized resulting in a number of arrests and, in particular, the arrest of a number of transient organised criminals whose cases are currently before the courts.

This initiative has since been introduced in other Garda Regions nationwide.

I am also advised that the increase in ATM fraud is also being addressed by the introduction of security measures by the financial institutions. Incidents of so-called 'skimming' are reported to the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation by relevant financial institutions. These incidents are then reported to, and circulated by, An Garda Síochána.

This type of criminal activity is also being addressed through several forums including the Hi-Tech Crime Forum and the ATM Fraud Forum. The Hi-Tech Crime Forum is comprised of representatives of the banking institutions, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, internet service providers, the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation and other stakeholders as deemed appropriate. The ATM Fraud Forum, which is comprised of representatives of the various financial institutions and An Garda Síochána, is chaired by the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation.

*the figures provided are operational and liable to change.