Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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475. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the success or otherwise of Operation Thor across the four policing districts of the Dublin north central Garda division throughout 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45707/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda North Central Division is comprised of three Garda Districts - Store Street (‘C’ District), Bridewell (‘D’ District) and Mountjoy (‘U’ District).

The success of the Garda measures to tackle burglary being implemented through Operation Thor is borne out by latest available CSO crime figures which show a very significant decline in property related crime. It is encouraging to note that since the launch of Operation Thor in late 2015, the CSO burglary figures have shown a significant 30% decrease in burglary for the twelve months of 2016 when compared to 2015.

As the Deputy is aware, Operation Thor involves a broad range of activities to tackle organised crime gangs and other prolific offenders as well as working with communities to prevent crime. This comprehensive operation is supported by the enhanced Government investment in Garda resources, including an allocation of almost €100 million for Garda overtime in 2017. We have also invested heavily in the Garda fleet, with over 720 new vehicles coming on stream since the start of 2015 and a provision of €46 million for new Garda vehicles under the Capital Plan 2016-2021.

These additional investments in policing make it possible to maintain and extend a range of intensive policing operations, including the continued targeting of burglaries and related crime via Operation Thor.

I am further informed by An Garda Síochána that a number of Days of Action, in conjunction with the retail communities, were organised throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region in June and July 2017 to reduce the threat of criminality in shops and retail outlets within the Division and, ultimately, to reduce losses occurring in those businesses as a result of thefts and other criminal activities. Data provided through the analysis of crime trends and the identification of recidivist criminals, to ensure intelligent policing based on evidence-based analytics, was utilised to guide, inform and formulate the operation.

Under Operation Thor we have seen over 87,060 targeted checkpoints and 65,960 crime prevention patrols nationwide. This concentrated policing activity has produced in the region of 6,060 arrests and 6,700 charges covering a range of offences which, in addition to burglary, have included handling stolen property, possession of firearms and drugs offences.

I am further advised that initiatives for the winter months will include:

- Planned Days of Action around targets and areas as predicated by crime trends and analysis provided by the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) in the DMR, and as approved by local District Officers;

- Covert and Overt policing initiatives;

- Crime Prevention days at locations identified for high-volume through-put, including shopping centres, public transport hubs and termini and other suitable, highly visible locations;

- High visibility patrols by foot and mountain-bike personnel;

- High visibility Public-Order patrols, again in areas identified through crime trends and analysis conducted by the DMR GSAS personnel, in consultation and conjunction with local Garda Management;

- Planned and random patrols and checkpoints in order to disrupt criminal activity and to deprive the roads network to criminals and others.

This Government has 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. This new legislation is now available to support the work which is being carried out by An Garda Síochána under Operation Thor.

The Programme for Government underlines the need for close engagement between An Garda Síochána and local communities. This is an essential feature of the strong community policing ethos which has long been central to policing in this jurisdiction. The Deputy will be aware that, as part of the overall strategy to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders and other stakeholders. There are a range of partnership initiatives which have been established between An Garda Síochána and the retail sector and important rural-based organisations such as the Irish Farmers Association, Muintir na Tire and other rural community organisations. These include the well established Community Alert Programme, which receives annual funding from my Department, as well as the work of the Metal Theft Forum, the Crimestoppers campaign highlighting the Theft of Livestock, the Theftstop initiative in relation to farm equipment, and the highly successful Garda Text Alert Scheme.

Furthermore, I was pleased to recently announce that an additional €100,000 was being made available to Text Alert Groups, registered with An Garda Síochána, to provide modest financial assistance with the running costs they incur each year. This Text Alert Rebate Scheme will be administered by Muintir na Tíre and Groups wishing to participate in the Scheme can find more details at www.muintiir.ie.

The Deputy will be aware that An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021 places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. It will result in the introduction of multi-skilled Community Policing Teams in every District. Community Policing Teams will be made-up of Gardaí from a number of different units who will work with the local community to prevent and detect crime. Undoubtedly, the ongoing recruitment process will support all Garda activities and will enhance the provision of effective Community Policing throughout the country.

The Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. The substantial increase in Garda numbers is tangible progress on achieving this Government's vision of an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.

Budget 2018 will support the continuation of this high level of investment in the Garda workforce and ensure that the vision of an overall workforce of 21,000 by 2021 remains on track. A further 800 new Garda Recruits will enter the Garda College, an additional 500 civilians will also be recruited to fill critical skills gaps across the organisation and to facilitate the redeployment of Gardaí from administrative and technical duties to front-line operational duties. There are plans to strengthen the Garda Reserve with new Reserves expected to commence training early in 2018.