Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

83. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the specific measures he is taking as we enter the winter months, given reports in media outlets such as RTÉ that people are more likely to be burgled during this period; the measures in place to ensure the safety and protection of vulnerable people across rural Ireland in particular this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54138/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Community safety is a top priority for my Department. Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe and rural Ireland is no exception.

Supporting the work of the National Rural Safety Forum, my Department has published the second Rural Safety Plan 2025-2027. The Plan’s vision is to ensure people and communities in rural Ireland feel safe and are safe in their homes, places of work, and their local environments.

The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

With regard to burglaries, which can be of particular concern for people living in isolated areas of the country, I can say that An Garda Síochána have had considerable success in reducing the prevalence of this through Operation Thor, which focuses on the prevention of burglaries and associated crimes, throughout Ireland, using strategies which are adapted for both rural and urban settings.

An Garda Síochána launched the Winter Phase (2025/2026) of Operation Thor on 1 October 2025.

In the 10 years since Operation Thor was introduced, burglary and related offences have declined overall. The level of residential burglary during the winter months, October to March, has fallen by 75% since the commencement of Operation Thor in 2015.

Under Operation Thor, the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) co-ordinates and supports Divisional resources actively targeting organised crime gangs and repeat offenders, particularly involved in rural burglaries and crimes, through enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.

Gardaí conduct high-visibility patrols and check-points at specific times of day in known ‘hot-spots’ to reduce the movement of burglars, gathering intelligence on known offenders and regularly communicating with those in the community about crime prevention measures.

Operation Thor also aims to reduce burglaries by ensuring every burglary is appropriately investigated to the highest possible standard and by monitoring crime data for changes in trends of burglaries, associated crimes and detection rates.

An Garda Síochána also promotes the practice of ‘property marking' which is a process where a physical mark is etched onto a piece of property such as a bike, laptop or tools. Property Marking engagement days are held by local community policing units and regularly highlighted on Garda social media platforms.

The 'Lock Up Light Up’ campaign is An Garda Síochána's anti-burglary awareness campaign which encourages homeowners to protect their homes over the winter months, when burglaries traditionally tend to rise.