Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

69. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the profound challenge to law and order over the past year in view of the number of homicides and widespread anti-social and criminal disorder plaguing many communities; the measures he is taking to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28783/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At the outset, I want to assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the impact that these types of crime can have on communities, and I can assure him that this Government remains 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 deter crime.

The challenges facing An Garda Síochána are considerable, and it is only right that we pay tribute to the brave men and women of An Garda Síochána who work diligently every day to keep our communities safe.

The Deputy will be aware that very significant resources have been provided to An Garda Síochána, including an overtime allocation of almost €100 million announced in Budget 2018. Some €1.65 billion has been allocated to the Garda Vote for 2018. This is an increase of approximately 2% over the allocation for 2017 and includes some €98.5 million for Garda overtime. Some €1.61 billion was allocated to the Garda Vote for 2017 which, in itself, was an increase of approximately €60 million over the allocation for 2016 (€1.55 billion as per the 2016 Revised Estimates Version) and included approximately €88.5 million for Garda overtime. In November 2017, I secured a supplementary estimate of some €42 million for Garda overtime bringing the spend for 2017 to over €130 million. This compares to a spend in previous years of €91 million in 2016, €56 million in 2015 and some €37.7 million in 2014.

This Government continues to support An Garda Síochána with unprecedented levels of resources. For example, the Government has put in place a plan for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. We are making real and tangible progress on achieving this goal.

Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour remains a key priority for An Garda Síochána. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.

I might add that there are a range of strong legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provide for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and Part 13 of the Act which provide for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children, but I would also point to the need for parents to ensure, to the best of their ability, that their children are raised to be respectful and law abiding.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the deployment of Garda resources at local level, including personnel, is a matter for the Garda authorities, in the first instance, however, I am assured that Garda management carefully monitors the incidence of such crime and that Garda resources are deployed in response to changing crime trends. This may include directing resources at areas designated as “hot-spots” for anti-social behaviour. Clearly Garda visibility is very important and this Government remains 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.

Some €342 million, including €217m in additional funding under the Capital Plan, to improving Garda ICT infrastructure 2016-2021. This allows Gardaí to deploy the latest cutting edge technologies in the fight against crime, including the gathering of vital crime statistics, and will facilitate progress on important reforms arising from the Garda Inspectorate's report on Crime Investigation.

Further, the Government's Capital Plan 2016 – 2021 provides for significant resourcing of An Garda Síochána. Some €46million was allocated for investment in the Garda fleet to ensure that An Garda Síochána has a modern, effective and fit for purpose fleet. This is in addition to the investment of almost €30 million in the fleet in the period 2013 to 2015. In total in the period 2013 to end of 2017 almost €44 million will have been invested in the fleet with some 2,000 vehicles coming on stream in that period.

The Deputy will appreciate, of course, that increasing resources, of itself, will not defeat the scourge of gang-related and associated crime that currently obtains. However, it is clear from the recent CSO crime statistics which indicate a reduction in homicide figures that An Garda Síochána continue to make significant progress in tackling the insidious threat of organised crime, particularly in Dublin’s North Inner-City through Operation Hybrid, where a proactive approach is being taken to combat those who seek to carry out such shocking murders and prevent further loss of life. I welcome the huge efforts made by An Garda Síochána to prevent further loss of life; in particular the preventing of over 50 murders since Operation Hybrid commenced.