Vol. 543 No. 2
703 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the categories and level of crime which are taken into consideration when crime statistics are being collated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26585/01]
The crime statistics for each year are published in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána, which are available in the Oireachtas Library for each year up to and including 1999. Approximately 120 types of indictable offence are divided into four groups and presented in detail in four large format tables to show the volume of offences recorded, the results of proceedings taken and the age and gender of persons who have been convicted. The statistics are presented on a national, a regional and a Garda divisional basis.
The method of compiling statistics will change with the publication of the annual report of the Garda Síochána for 2000 and subsequent years as input from the new PULSE computer technology will contribute to the report. PULSE will have a major impact on the management and compilation of all information within the Garda system including crime details and statistics, but due to the considerable complexity of the technology involved this change will be introduced on a phased basis over a number of years.
The full impact of the PULSE programme, allowing greater detail and analysis of statistical information, will become evident over time as the Garda Síochána moves from recording a relatively small proportion of crime statistics on computer to the position where paper based recording of crime statistics will no longer exist.
