Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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152. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various forms of crime continue to be monitored and appropriate action taken to address trends emerging in all areas throughout the country, urban and rural; if he has particular or specific strategies to deal with the issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24699/17]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the various categories of crime have fluctuated in the divisions and districts in County Kildare in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24700/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152 and 153 together.

As the Deputy is aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistics agency, is responsible for the publication of the official Recorded Crime Statistics. These figures are published on a quarterly basis and I am happy to be able to provide the Deputy with a CSO summary table of the trends in the main crime categories in Ireland over the past ten years with this response.

In addition, I have requested that the CSO contact the Deputy directly to provide him with details of crime figures in respect of County Kildare in each of the past five years.

As the Deputy will appreciate there are a variety of factors which may underlie the incidence of crime, including broader societal issues such as substance abuse and socioeconomic disadvantage as well as the activities of international criminal groups. It is clear, however, that the provision and deployment of policing resources is an indispensable part of our response to all categories of crime. The Government remains committed to providing the greatest level of support which we can to assist An Garda Síochána in dealing with crime and protecting communities.

The Deputy will also be aware that it is the Garda Commissioner and her management team who are responsible for the detailed allocation of policing resources to combat the incidence of crime and I have no direct role in such matters. However, I am advised that the allocation of resources is constantly monitored in the context of all new and emerging crime trends, the policing needs of local communities and the implementation of various operational strategies, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

In terms of promoting best policing practice, the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Inspectorate has been established to ensure the resources available to the Garda Síochána are used to achieve and maintain the highest levels of efficiency and effectiveness, with reference to the best standards of comparable police services. Many of recommendations made in recent reports by the Inspectorate are being taken forward as part of the Garda Modernisation and Renewal Programme.

A good example of the effective use of the considerable resources which the Government is providing can be seen in Operation Thor which has led to a steady decrease in the rate of burglary and related crime since it was established in November 2015. Indeed the full year crime figures for 2016 show a 30% decrease in burglary compared to 2015.

Underpinning all of these measures is the Government's commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country and 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.

Crime - Recorded Crime Offences

Recorded Crime Offences (Number) by Type of Offence and Year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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154. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which crimes continue to be committed by persons on bail in respect of previous criminal activity; the extent to which multiple crimes continue to be committed in this fashion; the extent to which the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 plans to deal with this issue comprehensively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24701/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of the official recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics in relation to the information requested directly to the Deputy.

It should be noted that the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Bill 2016 does not address issues pertaining to offences committed by persons on bail. However, the Criminal Justice Bill 2016 (changed from the Bail (Amendment) Bill 2016), which I published on 8 December last, will strengthen the operation of the bail system with the aim of making the law as effective as possible in protecting the public against crimes committed by persons on bail.

Under the Bill, Courts will be required to have regard to persistent serious offending by an applicant for bail and the nature and seriousness of any danger presented by the grant of bail to a person charged with an offence with a penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment or more. The Court will also have the power, in certain cases, to hear evidence from the victim of an offence before a decision on bail is taken.

Where an accused person is granted bail, the Bill will provide for stricter bail terms for repeat serious offenders, strengthen Garda powers to deal with breaches of bail, increase the use of curfews, and introduce electronic tagging for those on bail where requested by Gardaí. The Bill is due to be considered at Report Stage in the Dáil on Wednesday and enactment is a priority for the Government.