Written answers

Wednesday, 28 September 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Crime Levels

Photo of Thomas ByrneThomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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86. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the issue of burglary in County Meath and the steps being taken to counter this. [27218/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am very much aware of the impact of burglary and related crime on householders and local rural communities, which is why I initiated a wide ranging review of our response to this type of crime. On foot of this we have developed a considered and robust strategy to confront the criminals involved in organised burglary gangs who have targeted communities around the country, including County Meath. With the implementation of this strategy I am glad to say that An Garda Síochána has made huge progress, leading to a reduction of one third in burglaries nationwide following the launch of Operation Thor last year. The figures for the first three months of the year show a decrease for burglary offences in Meath. In fact, in the first three months of 2016 there were 40% less burglaries than in the first three months of 2015.

Operation Thor has involved concentrated Garda activity with more than 30,000 crime prevention patrols and in the order of 38,500 targeted checkpoints nationwide. There have also been in the region of 2,500 arrests and 2,900 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences. Further resources have also been put in place to support Garda operations in 2016, including provision for ongoing implementation of Operation Thor. An additional €50 million is to be provided, doubling the overtime available for intensive and targeted policing and crime prevention activities. So there will be no let-up on the pressure which the Gardai are bringing to bear on the organised gangs engaged in burglary in all areas of the country.

I have also made it a particular priority to strengthen our legislative provisions through 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 the work which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.

Underpinning all of these measures is the Government’s commitment to increase Garda numbers to 15,000 by way of recruitment into An Garda Síochána. This process will involve the recruitment of some 3,200 new Garda members on a phased basis over the next four years, to ensure that the service is renewed and has the capacity to provide visible, responsive and effective policing to local communities. This will undoubtedly benefit policing and public safety in County Meath and throughout the country.

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