Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1160.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in on Operation Saul; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35279/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to them.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to combatting anti-social behaviour and ensuring people in communities are safe and feel safe. This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2.35 billion in Budget 2024 to An Garda Síochána, which is allowing for sustained investment in recruitment, equipment and technology.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that in January 2022, Operation Saul was initiated for the purpose of coordinating operational activity across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising all public transport services across the city.

Operation Saul involves the effective management and planned deployment of resources in the DMR to ensure the delivery of both an overt and covert policing response on board Bus, Luas, Dart and Train services to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour, public order and criminal activity, on a daily basis. It is not possible to provide the number of Garda members assigned to the Operation as all frontline members carry out activities under the auspices of Operation Saul on a daily basis and as required.

As part of Operation Saul, each Chief Superintendent, DMR ensures continued collaboration with key transport stakeholders and providers along with Local Authorities to ensure an integrated approach at key high risk periods. Personnel are deployed to perform overt and covert patrols on board all public transport services, (Public Buses, Dart & Luas services, etc.), on a daily basis throughout Dublin. Members performing patrols on Public Transport services take effective action where offences are detected, and initiate charges where appropriate.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, from 1 January 2024 to 31 July 2024, there were 394 arrests made under Operation Saul. Arising out of theses arrests, 647 charges were preferred against suspects and a further 97 summonses were issued. 57 referrals were made to the Garda Youth Diversion Programme and a further 30 persons were dealt with by way of Adult Caution.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to continuing its efforts to dealing with anti-social behaviour on public transport and bringing those responsible for such criminal acts before the Courts. Members in the DMR will continue to proactively police public transport under Operation Saul as part of our overall response to preventing such anti-social behaviour.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1161.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on Operation Citizen; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35280/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It has not been possible to collate the information requested by the Deputy in the time available.

I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1162.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to Operation Táirge; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35281/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

Operation Táirge was launched in December 2023 by Assistant Commissioner, Roads Policing & Community Engagement and both I and my colleague, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, Neale Richmond TD were in attendance.

The operation's aim is supporting operational activity aimed at detecting and preventing organised retail crime. As the operation takes an organisational approach to the issue of organised retail crime, I am advised that all operational Gardaí are aware of, and contribute to the aims and objectives of the operation.

The Garda authorities have informed me that, in the period from 15 July 2023 to 15 July 2024, there were 18,150 proceedings commenced in relation to retail theft, which is an 18% increase on the previous 12 month period. This increase aligns with the commencement of Operation Táirge.

I am further advised that Operation Táirge is not separately identifiable on the Financial Reporting system. The Garda authorities are therefore unable to provide details on any specific expenditure related to the operation.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1163.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to Operation Tara; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35282/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1164.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to Operation Irene; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35283/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities Operation Irene is implemented every year throughout the Dublin Metropolitan Region from 1 June to 31 August.

This is a multi-agency operation with the key objective to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour, combat underage alcohol consumption and the consumption of alcohol in public places through the enforcement of legislation regulating the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol to enhance community safety and confidence.

An Garda Síochána work in conjunction with the various councils across Dublin and other stakeholders including the transport authorities, local resident associations and local businesses to identify key areas where people congregate during the summer months. These areas are policed by both high visibility patrols and plain closes Gardaí to ensure the public’s safety and peaceful enjoyment of local amenities.

As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána does not hold and cannot provide a return for convictions. Queries regarding convictions data should be directed toward the Courts Service, who are responsible for providing such information. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie

The Garda authorities have also advised me that specific details in relation to this operation are not disclosed publicly for operational reasons.

The Garda Commissioner has assured the Minister that there will continue to be a high-visibility policing presence in the DMR. He has the resources to do so under Budget 2024, with an overtime budget to use as required and a stream of new Gardaí entering the organisation from the recruitment competitions carried out over the last three years.

Last year, the Minister for Justice provided additional overtime in Dublin and it is important to note that the overall Garda overtime budget for 2024 is a substantial increase on last year.

It may interest the Deputy to note that, as of the end of June 2024, there were 3,682 Garda members assigned to the Garda Divisions across Dublin. This represents a 5.5% increase on the number assigned to Dublin in 2015 when there were 3,491.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1165.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to Operation Limmat; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35284/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Limmat was introduced in January 2022 in the DMR, with specific emphasis on reducing the harmful effect of assaults in public places in the DMR Region. This operation drives a pro-arrest, pro-enforcement, early investigation approach when incidents of assault and associated crime occur in the DMR.

Operation Limmat also promotes early prosecution of offenders with intelligence-led policing to identify hotspots where assaults occur and with a view of identifying prolific recidivist offenders.

Operation Limmat is still active in the DMR Region. All assaults that occur in public places are considered relevant to Operation Limmat.

As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána does not hold and cannot provide a return for convictions. Queries regarding convictions data should be directed toward the Courts Service, who are responsible for providing such information. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie

The Garda authorities have also advised me that specific details in relation to this operation are not disclosed publicly for operational reasons.

However, as per the recorded crime statistics compiled by the Central Statistics Office, there is a 3.7% reduction in assaults causing harm in the DMR when 2023 is compared with 2022.

The Garda Commissioner has assured the Minister that there will continue to be a high-visibility policing presence in the DMR. He has the resources to do so under Budget 2024, with an overtime budget to use as required and a stream of new Gardaí entering the organisation from the recruitment competitions carried out over the last three years.

Last year, the Minister for Justice provided additional overtime in Dublin and it is important to note that the overall Garda overtime budget for 2024 is a substantial increase on last year.

It may interest the Deputy to note that, as of the end of June 2024, there were 3,682 Garda members assigned to the Garda Divisions across Dublin. This represents a 5.5% increase on the number assigned to Dublin in 2015 when there were 3,491.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1166.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to Operation Soteria; the number of gardaí involved in this operation; the amount of funding it has received; the number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the operation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35285/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes all operational and investigative policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these matters and cannot seek to direct the Commissioner in relation to such.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that Operation Soteria concluded at the end of 2021. This operation ran nationally and promoted a pro-arrest, pro-enforcement, early investigation approach when incidents of assault and associated crime occur in the DMR.

I am further advised that Operation Limmat was introduced at the beginning of 2022 in the DMR to replace Operation Soteria. This operation builds upon the work undertaken as part of operation Soteria, with specific emphasis on reducing the harmful effect of assaults in public places in the DMR Region. As with Soteria, Limmat drives a pro arrest, pro enforcement, early investigation approach when incidents of assault and associated crime occur.

Operation Limmat also promotes early prosecution of offenders with intelligence led policing to identify hotspots where assaults occur and with a view of identifying prolific recidivist offenders.

As the Deputy will appreciate, An Garda Síochána does not hold and cannot provide a return for convictions. Queries regarding convictions data should be directed toward the Courts Service, who are responsible for providing such information. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie

The Garda authorities have also advised me that, since the conclusion of Operation Soteria, the operation is now an organisation-wide response to promote personal safety and is not restricted to a specific number of Gardai. The operation was incorporated into the local policing plan and does not receive specific funding. I am further advised that the number of arrests associated with the operation cannot be provided for operational reasons.