Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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442. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the recent spate of burglaries in the Louth - East Meath constituency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11315/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of the concerns expressed in relation to the incidence of burglary, including in the area referred to. I am working closely with the Garda Commissioner and other relevant criminal justice agencies to ensure that an effective, whole of system response is in place.

An Garda Síochána are pursuing a range of strategies to tackle this, including the establishment of Burglary Response Units and through operations such as Operation Fiacla which is focusing on identifying and targeting the criminal groups who have played a large part in the recent increase. As of 28 February 2015, Operation Fiacla has led to the arrest of 12,374 persons with charges being brought against 7,010 persons nationally.

In addition to these policing responses, I am also carrying out a broader and urgent review of the criminal justice system's response to the problem of burglaries. This includes a focus on interagency measures in relation to the management of prolific offenders, visible policing, crime prevention support for communities, and an examination of legislative issues. Burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime, and I am determined to tackle it on a number of fronts, and through a partnership approach between criminal justice agencies and the community.

I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to incidents in the area referred to by the Deputy and I will contact him directly as soon as the report is to hand.