Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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289. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the new Garda special crime task force has been established as recommended by the Mulvey report recommendations for the north-east inner city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49362/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Garda authorities that there was no specific recommendation in the Mulvey Report relating to the establishment of a special crime taskforce as outlined in the Deputy's question. However, I can advise the Deputy that the Garda Commissioner established a new Garda Special Crime Task Force in the Dublin Metropolitan Region in 2016, under the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, to augment the response to organised crime at a local level through concentrated policing, and through a multi-agency approach to targeting the proceeds of crime. The Deputy will be aware that it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the allocation of Garda resources and I, as Minister, have no direct role in such matters.

The Deputy will also be aware that the Garda operational responses to gang-related crime in Dublin are coordinated under Operation Hybrid. As of 31 October 2017, there have been 71 arrests in relation to gang-related killings, with 8 persons charged in connection with those murders and a further 3 persons charged with related offences. In addition, 30 firearms have been seized and over 14,260 lines of enquiry conducted. In excess of 44,490 high visibility checkpoints have been implemented with significant support from Armed Support Units and a significant amount of CCTV footage, mobile phone traffic, and forensic evidence is also being examined. Operation Hybrid is reviewed on a weekly basis to maintain optimal impact.

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 continuing to purchase new Garda vehicles over the years 2016-2021.

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.

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.