Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the additional immediate steps An Garda Síochána will take to deal with the increased number of burglaries in an area (details supplied) since Christmas 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10362/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the response to burglary or other forms of crime in a local area is an operational matter for an Garda Síochána, and I have no direct role in this regard. I am assured that Garda resources are deployed to respond to crime trends and policing needs at local level. To be of assistance, I have brought the Deputy's concerns in relation to the Donaghmede area to the attention of the Garda authorities.

More generally, the Deputy will be aware that 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, burglary figures have shown a significant downward trend. 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. In fact, Raheny Garda Station, which services the Donaghmede area, recorded a reduction in burglary of 33% in 2015 when compared to the previous year. This reflects the success of the concerted Garda drive against crime being implemented under Operation Thor.

Operation Thor has 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) Act2015. I am pleased that 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. In addition, 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.

Underpinning all of these measures is the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. It is important we build on the success of Operation Thor by ensuring that Garda numbers continue to increase. The Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Appointments will also be made to the Garda Reserve of approximately 300.