Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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82. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the success of Operation Thor; if this has had any impact on crime levels in the Sligo-Leitrim division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9155/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Operation Thor has been put in place to tackle burglary and related crimes, in both rural and urban areas. It is encouraging to note that since the launch of the operation in November 2015, the burglary figures have shown a significant downward trend. Indeed, the most recent CSO official recorded crime statistics for Q3 of 2016 show a decrease of 31% in burglary for the twelve months ending 30 September 2016 compared to the previous twelve month period. This reflects the success of the concerted Garda drive against crime being implemented under Operation Thor. If we look at the first nine months of 2016, the figures for the Sligo Leitrim Garda Division show a reduction in Burglary of 38% compared to the same period in 2015.

If I might illustrate the scale of Garda activity against burglary and property crime – under Operation Thor we have seen 38,894 crime prevention patrols and in the order of 50,823 targeted checkpoints nationwide. There have also been in the region of 3,053 arrests and 3,733 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary, have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.

We have also seen the enactment of specific legislation targeting prolific burglars in the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Act 2015. These provisions are now available to Gardaí in relation to prosecutions arising from the concentrated drive against crime which is being implemented under Operation Thor, which is supported by very significant investments in Garda resources. The reduction in burglaries as a result of Operation Thor will not of course be indicated in the detection rate statistics when they become available for the relevant period but the prevention of crime is always preferable to crimes having been committed which must then be detected.

The Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Act was commenced a year ago and introduced the DNA database, which provides Gardaí with investigative links ('hits') between people and unsolved crimes including burglaries. It is anticipated that this should significantly assist in improving detection rates for burglary over the coming years.

In conclusion, Operation Thor and the drive against burglary is supported by the commitment to increase Garda numbers to a Force of 15,000 as well as the very significant resource allocations which the Government has made to ensure by a strong and visible police presence throughout the country.