Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1607.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of burglaries reported in County Tipperary in 2023 and to date in 2024, with a breakdown of geographical area where possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33687/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.

The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics.

The most recent statistics were released on 26 June 2024, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 1 (Q4) 2024. However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q2 of 2024 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO towards the end of September.

The most recent figures in respect of recorded crime incidents can be found on the CSO website at the following link:

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I can however assure the Deputy the Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. I was pleased to secure unprecedented funding of over €2.35 billion for this year, a 25% increase since 2020 which is supporting the continued recruitment of Garda members and staff.

While the Garda Commissioner is operationally responsible for the allocation of Garda resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure our Gardaí have the resources they need.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that as of 28 June 2024, the latest date for when figures are available, there was a total of 14,100 Garda members nationwide. This represents an increase of 10% since the end of December 2015.

Coupled with the continued roll-out of the new Operating Model, I am confident that the Commissioner will have the resources and plans in place to continue to deliver on An Garda Síochána's mission of Keeping People Safe.

I very much understand that burglaries can be a traumatic and invasive experience that can impact on the sense of security people feel in their own home.

The Deputy will be aware of Operation Thor which tackles burglary and actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.

I am informed that since Operation Thor was established a reduction of approximately 54% in residential burglaries has been recorded between 2016 and 2023.

I am sure the Deputy would wish to join me in paying tribute to An Garda Síochána for their ongoing concerted efforts in targeting criminals through Operation Thor, including a comprehensive policing operation last month which resulted in 23 arrests. A Garda statement at the time noted that the 23 arrested were charged with a total of 100 offences including offences for burglary, theft, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and possession of stolen property.

I would also like to take this opportunity to draw attention to the Garda crime prevention advice under Operation Thor, which is highlighted through public information campaigns and by Garda Prevention Officers including the 'Lock up, Light up' campaign.

An Garda Síochána also have a free property recording app. Should any items be stolen, the app provides a way of reporting this to An Garda Síochána and gives the public the option to share information with Gardaí for this purpose.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by community groups in administering the Text Alert Scheme.

Text Alert enables communities to set up a group to receive alerts advising them of suspicious or criminal activity in their area. As well as ensuring awareness among users of the service, it can also lead to them reporting suspicious activity to Gardaí.

Further information on the property marking app, text alert schemes and other crime prevention information can be found on the Garda website: www.garda.ie