Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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735. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the increase in burglaries and attempted burglaries in Ballyfermot, if he will consider allocating extra gardaí to Ballyfermot Garda station; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45774/13]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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736. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide in tabular form the number of gardaí stationed in Ballyfermot Garda station for the years 2010 to 2013. [45775/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 735 and 736 together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts, the various Garda national units and of course Garda Headquarters. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Ballyfermot Garda Station on 31 December 2010 to 2012 and on 30 September 2013, the latest date for which figures are readily available, is set out in the table hereunder.

As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 8.9% nationally for the twelve months ending on 30 June 2013 and this underlines the impact being made by Gardaí under Operation Fiacla. As part of the measures which are coordinated under Operation Fiacla, Operation Acer is in force throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including Ballyfermot. It is an intelligence driven operation and includes analysis led checkpoints and patrols to target specific areas and case manage targeted offenders. These arrangements are kept under review to ensure adjustments are made to maintain the effective focus of the operation.

Operation Acer operates alongside ongoing community policing measures, including problem solving with the community and ongoing liaison with schools, businesses and households in providing crime prevention advice and assistance to victims of burglary.