Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of incidents of rape reported on each of the past five years to date in 2013; the extent to which the perpetrators have been brought to justice in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6225/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which serious crime involving the use of firearms, knives or other weapons have been recorded annually in the past five years; if any particular initiatives are contemplated to deal with the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6228/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide relevant statistics directly to the Deputy.

An Garda Síochána's Policing Plan for 2013 reflects the priorities which I have set for the current year and includes as a strategic goal the objective of confronting serious crime in all its forms. The Gardaí employ multi-disciplinary, intelligence-led approaches to ensure the activities and resources of individuals and groups involved in all criminal enterprises, including armed crime, are effectively targeted. A wide range of legislative powers are in place to support the investigation and detection of serious crime, including by means of covert surveillance, and very serious penalties have been introduced for firearms offences. The Firearms Acts are kept under review in the interests of public safety and law enforcement.

There is also a comprehensive and robust legal framework in place to tackle knife crime including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned. An Garda Síochána pro-actively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife related crime. Areas identified as public order hot-spots by local Garda management are the subject of additional foot and mobile patrols.

The Gardaí are devoting all the necessary resources to combat the sorts of serious crime referred to by the Deputy, and they will continue to have my full support in this regard.