Written answers

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Department of Justice and Equality

Crime Levels

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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43. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to an increase in the number of cars being broken into in the Lusk and Rush area; if the increase in crime in this area will inform the decision to include Rush Garda station as part of the pilot scheme announced in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32392/16]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the investigation of crimes is a matter for by An Garda Síochána and I, as Minister, have no direct role in relation to the conduct of particular Garda investigations. However, I will of course bring the Deputy's concerns to the attention of the Garda authorities.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Programme for Government the Government is committed to asking the Policing Authority to oversee a review of, amongst other things, both the boundaries of Garda districts and the dispersement of Garda stations in rural areas. In addition, the Government is committed to launching a pilot scheme to reopen 6 Garda stations, both urban and rural, to determine possible positive impacts that such openings will have on criminal activity, with special emphasis on burglaries, theft and public order.

In relation to the proposed pilot scheme, I have requested the Garda Commissioner, while fully cognisant of her statutory functions in relation to the distribution of Garda resources in the State, to identify for reopening 6 stations that were closed under the Garda Síochána District and Station Rationalisation Programme. I have also asked the Authority to initiate the proposed review.

The Deputy will also appreciate that the response to crime and policing services generally will be enhanced by the major investments in Garda vehicles, equipment and technology which the Government has put in place and which are supporting a number of carefully considered policing strategies such as Operation Thor, which is targeting those involved in burglary and property crime countrywide. Underpinning these strong anti-crime actions and continuing community policing measures, is the Government's commitment to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme with a view to increasing Garda numbers to 15,000, which will benefit policing and community safety in all areas, including those referred to.

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