Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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20. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the community response team in an area (detailed supplied) is being considered for permanent status; if he will provide data on arrests and incidents since its establishment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36633/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live, should be safe and feel safe. Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority for me. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and work in, and the Dublin 13 area is no exception to this.

While the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management of Garda operational matters and resources, I engage regularly with him to ensure that An Garda Síochána have the resources they need to keep our communities safe.

I am informed that the Superintendent with responsibility for Community Engagement in Coolock Garda Station established a Temporary Community Response Team on 17 February 2025. This team is comprised of one Sergeant and 4 Gardaí. The team is responsible for maintaining a Garda presence in the Darndale, Clongriffin and Belmayne areas, and support the work of existing Community Policing Units. I am pleased to hear the positive feedback on this initiative.

As of the 1 July 2025, the temporary unit remains in place and the unit is an integral part of the Community Engagement policing plan for the Coolock Community Engagement Functional Area going forward. I understand the unit will remain in place on a temporary basis while resources allow and the local Superintendent hopes to increase this unit size in time.

I am informed that the Community Response Team conduct proactive patrols, checkpoints and searches while also being available to answer calls for service in the area. As a result, there has been increased visibility with detections across a range of offences from traffic to drug related activity and high-volume crime such as thefts.

Between February and the end of June, the Community Response Team have had 758 incidents reported, 358 proactive patrols conducted, 60 arrests made, 35 detections for drugs, 36 detections for theft and 32 bench warrants executed by Gardaí attached to this unit. In addition, there have been multiple checkpoints and searches conducted by the unit.

This team has had a number of successes in recent weeks and extensive investigations have identified youths involved in anti-social behaviour in these areas, with the intention of mitigating against such activity and bringing any offenders to justice.

As the Deputy is aware, a meeting was held earlier this year in Dublin City Council offices, Bunratty Road, with representatives of the Clongriffin, Belmayne and Parkside areas, along with Gardaí from the team and the Community Policing Unit were also present at this meeting.

I understand the meeting focused on Gardaí in anti-social behaviour in the Clongriffin and Belmayne areas, including Parkside and the Gardaí provided an update into how the local policing plans are implemented, and encouraged that all criminal should be reported immediately through the 999 System. I further understand that local representatives acknowledged that there has been a significant increase in patrols and high visibility in the areas, which has been effective and will continue.

I am also aware that a number of successful Garda operations have recently taken place in the DMR North to tackle organised crime groups.