Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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91. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various categories of crimes continue to be reported in all Garda Síochána divisions and districts in County Kildare; the degree to which resultant prosecutions continue to be filed and processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17613/16]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the Garda can engage with communities in areas that have experienced criminal activity with a view to reassuring the general public; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17615/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 93 together.

As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. To be of assistance, I have requested the CSO to contact the Deputy directly in relation to the information requested.

I am advised that Garda management constantly monitor the distribution of policing resources in the light of crime trends and overall policing needs in all areas of the country, including Kildare, with a view to providing an effective and responsive police service. In addition, An Garda Síochána implement a number of special targeted strategies, including Operation Thor. Operation Thor entails a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. This comprehensive operation is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including the recently announced additional allocation of €55 million in 2016. The additional resources make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting of burglaries and related crime under Operation Thor.

Furthermore, investment in a modern, effective and fit-for-purpose Garda fleet will continue under the Capital Plan 2016-2021 which provides €46 million for new Garda vehicles, ensuring that Gardaí can be mobile, visible and responsive, on the roads and in the community. The Government is also investing in Garda airborne surveillance and enhanced technology and ICT systems. In fact, some €330 million, including €205 million under the Capital Plan, is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime.

I can also assure the Deputy that the legislation to tackle crime has been strengthened, and would mention in particular the enactment of the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act2015 which is targeted at repeat burglars who have previous convictions and who are charged with multiple offences of residential burglary. I am very pleased that this new legislation is now available to support prosecutions arising from the carefully considered Garda strategy to disrupt and oppose criminal activity under Operation Thor.

More generally, Gardaí continue to support the work of a range of local crime prevention initiatives including the well established network of Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch groups countrywide. Gardaí also participate in more formal consultative structures such as Joint Policing Committees which provide an important mechanism for local Garda management to respond to community concerns. Effective community engagement is particularly evident in the success of the Garda Text Alert scheme which was launched in September 2013. Since then the scheme has developed as an important crime prevention mechanism with over 715 local groups involving in excess of 130,000 subscribers and with an estimated 200,000 text messages sent each month. I am informed that every Garda Division, rural and urban, now offers the text alert service and An Garda Síochána has published guidelines to assist in the establishment and operation of local groups.

The Programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities as part of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will appreciate that the specific allocation of personnel and other resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, but I am assured that the Garda National Model of Community Policing continues to play a key part in responding to crime by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs. This commitment is also very evident in the new Garda Síochána Modernisation and Renewal Programme, which was recently launched by the Commissioner, and as part of which new Community Policing Teams are to be introduced in each Garda District.

Finally, I might add that policing in Kildare, and in all other areas, will undoubtedly benefit from the resources now coming on stream through the Garda recruitment programme, and in particular the Government's commitment to increase Garda numbers to 15,000. We are working on measures to accelerate this programme so as to ensure that the Commissioner has the capacity to address the needs of communities throughout the country and into the future.