Vol. 411 No. 4
137 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice if he has had any discussions with the insurance industry regarding (1) the number and cost of claims arising from malicious damage and (2) any measures which might be taken which would reduce the incidence of malicious damage, including the possibility of a levy on the insurance industry from which he could fund additional policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not had any such discussion with the insurance industry.
The Garda authorities have informed me that they take all possible steps to prevent malicious damage to property; it is one of the matters to which gardaí on foot and mobile patrols pay special attention. In addition, advice on safeguarding property is offered to the public by the Garda community relations section and by local crime prevention officers. The Garda schools programme which is in operation in selected schools in Dublin and Limerick and which it is proposed to introduce to Cork, Galway and Waterford is designed to educate young people to have respect for the property of others. The Neighbourhood Watch programme is also an invaluable vehicle for promoting awareness of the problem and for encouraging sensible crime prevention precautions.
