Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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16. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to address the issue of rogue traders preying on vulnerable persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19274/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána closely monitors the incidence of this type of crime and that a range of enforcement, prevention and community policing measures are in place to respond to these concerns.

The circumstances of this type of offending varies but in many cases the perpetrators will persuade the householder to engage them to carry out work of dubious necessity or value and then seek to extract excessive payments. Other incidents involve the perpetrators attempting to coerce payment for a fictitious liability, or pressurising householders to reveal personal financial information. Older or vulnerable persons are often targeted by these offenders.

An Garda Síochána is proactive in highlighting this type of offending through widely circulated crime prevention information leaflets, at community meetings, and using local media and the national Crimecall programme. One measure of particular note is the Bogus Caller Card Initiative, which was developed as part of the Garda Older Persons Strategy. This initiative provides the householder with printed Caller Cards to give to callers offering a service from door to door, requesting them to leave their contact details so that they can get back to them if they require that service. The initiative is intended to empower the older person to take control of these situations and discourage bogus callers.

All incidents of this nature are taken very seriously by the Gardaí and anyone who feels they have been the victim of such an offence is encouraged to report it, even where they may feel some sense of embarrassment at having been victimised in this way. Similarly, anyone who becomes aware that bogus traders appear to be operating in an area should bring it to Garda attention. Clearly, information of this nature is of great assistance to An Garda Síochána in putting in place appropriate operational responses, and in alerting the community to the risks presented. In this regard the Gardaí work closely with local organisations, notably Community Alert and Neighbourhood watch, to disseminate information about this type of offending and raise awareness about the practical steps householders can take to protect themselves.