Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent, if any, to which redeployment of personnel within the Garda Síochána will take place to ensure adequate policing with particular reference to the need to meet the threat of highly mobile and motorised criminal gangs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6232/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Commissioner is responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including the deployment of personnel, throughout the organisation and I have no direct function in the matter. This allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

The Deputy will be aware that last year the Garda Commissioner put in place a specific operation - Operation Fiacla - to address incidents of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. Operation Fiacla is intelligence driven and special initiatives have been implemented in each Garda Region to target suspect offenders. I am informed that as of 31 January 2013, 3,903 persons have been arrested and 2,142 persons have been charged with burglary offences under Operation Fiacla.

Operation Fiacla is the subject of regular monitoring and review by senior Garda management and is focused on identifying and targeting gangs involved in burglaries around the country so as to disrupt their activities and bring them before the Courts. An Garda Síochána also places great emphasis on the importance of community partnerships such as Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch, in preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Gardaí continue to invest time and energy in these partnerships and relationships to the benefit of all. I have also strongly supported the Garda Commissioner in the introduction of real reform, such as the piloting of new rosters, the closure of under-utilised stations and the consequent freeing-up of Gardaí for operational duties, and the merger of Garda Districts which will bring about much greater administrative efficiency. These reforms are vital to ensure that the best use is made of Garda resources and that the most efficient and effective policing service is delivered to the public.