Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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190. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Gardaí are taking in an area (details supplied) in County Meath to reduce crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24507/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is in the Navan Garda District.

The area includes the District and Divisional Headquarters, which is open on a 24 hour basis. There are regular patrols by the local uniform and plain clothes crime prevention patrols which are augmented as necessary by the Detective Unit, the Community Policing Unit together with the Divisional Traffic Unit and the Regional Support Unit. All crime trends are closely monitored by local Garda management to ensure that resources are deployed across the District both for the prevention and detection of crime.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner has put Operation Fiacla in place in order to address incidents of burglary, aggravated burglaries and related offences throughout the country. Specific burglary operations have been implemented in each Garda region, in support of Operation Fiacla, to target suspected offenders, disrupt their activities and secure their attendance before the courts.

An Garda Síochána also places great emphasis on the importance of the partnership between An Garda Síochána and the community in preventing and detecting crime, and maintaining a safe environment for everyone. In this regard, community support and engagement is facilitated in the area in question through interaction by Gardaí with Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in particular.