Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the increase in burglaries in the general Tallaght area, Dublin, noting that businesses, homes, schools and churches have suffered in this regard; if he will give assurances to the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9228/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, Operation Fiacla was initiated by the Garda Commissioner to address the incidence of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. An Garda Síochána has implemented specific regional operations in support of Operation Fiacla, including in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, to target suspect offenders, disrupt their activities and secure their attendance before the courts.

The objective of these Garda operations is to have a focussed, targeted and integrated approach to criminals involved in committing burglaries. While the official end of year crime statistics are not yet available from the Central Statistics Office, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the strategy being employed under Operation Fiacla is having a positive impact on the incidence of burglary in the Tallaght area.

I am further informed that the strategy being adopted has involved the deployment of Garda resources from Tallaght, assisted by Divisional Traffic Units and Divisional Crime Task Force Units, conducting analysis led checkpoints and patrols targeting specific areas and case managing targeted offenders. These targeted patrols and checkpoints are kept under review to ensure adjustments are made to maintain the effective focus of the operation.

In addition to these targeted policing operations, Community Policing Units have developed a partnership approach to problem solving within the community and Community Gardaí liaise regularly with schools, businesses and homes in the area providing crime prevention advice and assurance to victims of burglary.

Local Garda management closely monitors patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the community in Tallaght, to ensure that optimum use is made of Garda resources to provide the best possible Garda service to the public.