Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is putting in place to support farmers along the Border region who have had livestock stolen, particularly in counties Cavan and Monaghan where in some instances farmers have endured multiple thefts of livestock; the action she is taking on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27223/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am of course very conscious of the serious impact of the theft of livestock, as well as the theft of farm equipment and similar crimes, on farm families and rural communities.

In relation to policing measures to counter livestock theft in the areas referred to, I am advised that local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources, including mobile patrols, in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, with targeted patrols being deployed in areas where crime is more frequent, I am further advised that Gardaí maintain liaison is maintained with local communities through the Community Alert Scheme and the Garda Text Alert system.

Regular mobile patrols supplemented by Traffic Corps units and other Regional units are in operation with specific checkpoints to focus on travelling criminals. The additional resources made available to An Garda Síochána through Operation Thorsupport efforts to tackle the theft of livestock and farm machinery.

Furthermore, divisional Crime Prevention Officers and District Officers maintain liaison with local and Regional representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association and the Department of Agriculture. Efforts are continuing in conjunction with the farming communities and other local groups to tackle all theft-related crime, including livestock and farm-equipment. Advice is regularly provided, by the Divisional Crime Prevention Officer, to local farmers and community groups in relation to security of property, including livestock.

The Deputy may be aware that a specific partnership initiative exists between An Garda Síochána, the Irish Farmers Association and Crimestoppers, providing a reward fund of €10,000 to encourage reports to assist Gardaí in identifying those involved in livestock theft. In addition, the Theft Stop initiative also involving Gardaí, the Irish Farmers Association and Crimestoppers is designed to deter criminals from taking and selling farm equipment by ensuring it is clearly marked with a unique ID and then registered on a nationwide database. Anyone with information about such crimes may use the Crimestoppers confidential number 1800 25 00 25 .

Finally, I might add that rural crime, including the theft and unlawful movements of livestock, is also identified as a priority for the Joint Agency Task Force, created since November, 2015 under a “A Fresh Start, The Stormont Agreement and Implementation Plan".The Joint Agency Task Force is led by senior officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, An Garda Síochána, the Revenue Commissioners and HM Revenue and Customs. A number of other organisations including the Departments of Agriculture, Food and Marine, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Northern Ireland, as well as the Food Safety Authority.