Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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222. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality to outline the actions she is taking given the Central Statistics Office review of the recording of criminal offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27362/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I recently welcomed the resumption of publication of the official Recorded Crime Statistics by the Central Statistics Office, together with the publication by the CSO of its analysis of the issues arising from the 2014 Garda Inspectorate Report on Crime Investigation. I had met with the Director General of the Central Statistics Office last November to discuss the implications of the Report's findings and I am very grateful to the CSO for the professional and independent analysis which it has carried out. This analysis is an important step in securing the integrity of our national crime statistics.

The work of both the CSO and the Garda Inspectorate has identified common issues of concern in relation to Garda crime recording processes and systems. Many of these issues have no doubt built up over time and it is true to say that similar issues have also been found with police data in other jurisdictions. It is, however, essential that we have access to accurate, reliable data on crime so that the policing services offered by An Garda Síochána are responsive to current and emerging crime trends. In addition, the public must have confidence that the published crime statistics are accurate.

Following the publication of the Inspectorate’s report, An Garda Síochána took a number of important steps to address the issues identified in relation to the recording of crime. These have included the establishment of a new Data Quality Team within the Garda Information Services Centre (GISC), and the piloting of a new incident recording process to test data review processes.

I am greatly encouraged that, arising from and building on this work, the Commissioner has indicated that she expects a series of further new measures to be rolled out nationally later this year. These will ensure that all reports from the public to Garda stations and control rooms are logged in a consistent manner using a standardised method and that all incidents will be recorded and classified initially at the GISC. This will reduce the number of incident classification decision makers and improve consistency. Furthermore, changes to the PULSE system will ensure that the status of an investigation is correct at all times. In addition, a new PULSE upgrade will enable District Officers to generate daily, weekly and monthly incident reviews of investigations. This will enhance accountability, governance and oversight of investigations.

I might also draw the Deputy’s attention to other work being led by the CSO, in particular an Expert Panel it is Chairing to examine the Garda Inspectorate’s recommendations on crime statistics, including with a view to the development of new crime counting rules. I believe this will be another important contribution to our efforts to improve crime data systems and processes.

Finally, and as I stated when the recent CSO review was published, I am determined to support An Garda Síochána in developing its systems to meet the realities and expectations of 21st Century policing. In particular I have been working closely with my colleague Minister Howlin to secure the necessary and early investment in upgrading Garda technology and I hope to make significant announcements shortly in relation to the development of Garda ICT systems.