Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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813. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a significant increase in the level of burglaries in an area (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46751/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that the area referred to is within the Raheny Garda Sub-District.

The area is regularly patrolled by uniform and plain clothes crime prevention patrols, which are augmented by the Detective Unit, Community Policing Unit together with the Divisional Traffic Unit and Divisional Crime Task Force Unit.

Local Garda Management closely monitors such patrols, and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of the communities in these areas to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public. The situation is kept under review and paramount consideration is given to the needs of residents. Garda Management is satisfied that a full and comprehensive policing service is being delivered to the communities in the area concerned and that current structures in place meet the requirements of the delivery of an effective and efficient policing service.

I am further informed that Garda data shows a decrease in burglaries in the Raheny area, in line with the national trend. As the Deputy may be aware the latest crime statistics show that the rate of burglary has decreased by 8.9% nationally for twelve months ending 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 Raheny. 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.