Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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363. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality how she proposes to deal with the escalation in incidents of knife crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35847/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that figures provided by the Central Statistics Office show that the number of recorded offences involving a knife has decreased each year since 2010.

Notwithstanding these statistical trends, the impact of these crimes is of course extremely serious and I can assure the Deputy that I am in ongoing contact with the Garda Commissioner in relation to a wide range of crime and policing concerns, including knife and other violent crime.

A comprehensive and robust legal framework is in place with respect to knife crime including heavy penalties for breaches of the laws concerned. Under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, the maximum penalty for possessing a knife in a public place without good reason or lawful authority has been increased from one to five years. An Garda Síochána also has an extended power of search without warrant in relation to knives and offensive weapons.

At an operational level, An Garda Síochána proactively targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour, including knife related crime through the strategic deployment of Garda resources. In this regard, areas identified as public order hot-spots by local Garda management are the subject of additional foot and mobile patrols. In addition, Detective Units and Divisional Crime Task Forces may be utilised to provide a high visibility presence in areas such as late night bars, clubs etc, particularly when people are exiting, to deter and detect anti-social behaviour and possible altercations. The resumption of Garda recruitment and the deployment of the first group of newly attested Gardaí are of course key components in providing visible policing. However, it should be noted that many knife crimes occur in domestic settings and often with a degree of spontaneity, which increases the challenges for preventative policing and enforcement.

In relation to the investigation of specific knife-related crimes, I am assured that all appropriate resources, including any necessary technical and forensic facilities are employed by An Garda Síochána to secure detections and identify perpetrators of these crimes.

In addition to these enforcement measures, An Garda Síochána is involved in a number of awareness measures relating to knife crime, and I understand that the Garda Schools Programme is utilised to include talks on knives and other weapons for secondary school pupils, emphasising the dangers involved and the need for care, vigilance and social responsibility.