Crime Levels.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 May 2005

Tuesday, 24 May 2005

Questions (303, 304, 305, 306, 307)

Tony Gregory

Question:

319 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Garda has received reports of cocaine dealing in areas (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17087/05]

Written answers

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that local Garda management is not aware of any incidents of cocaine dealing at the location specified by the Deputy. In recent months one premises in the locality has been the subject of a planned search under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 1984. However, I am informed by the Garda authorities that no evidence of cocaine dealing in the area was established. I understand that there are daily foot and mobile patrols in the area and that gardaí attached to the divisional drugs unit and the Store Street community policing unit continue to liaise with the local traders association with a view to eradicating any drug use in the area.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

320 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the crime statistics for Bandon Garda district in west Cork for the years 2000 to 2004 respectively; and if he will give consideration to establishing a further Garda presence in the area. [17092/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

In relation to crime figures the Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis in order to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly crime rate has decreased from 6.7 per 1,000 population to 6 per 1,000 over the longer period of eleven quarters for which figures are available. This trend is reflected throughout most Garda districts in the country. In interpreting these figures, account has also to be taken of the introduction of the new PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999 which led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. The Deputy will also wish to be aware that, taking into account the significant increase in our population since 1995, the headline crime rate has fallen from 29 per 1,000 population in 1995 to 25 per 1,000 population in 2004.

The following tables show the headline offences for the years 2000 to 2004 inclusive, for the Bandon Garda district. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the personnel strength of the Cork west division as at 20 May 2005 was 253, all ranks. The personnel strength of Bandon Garda district as at 20 May 2005 was 88, all ranks. The personnel strength of Bandon Garda station as at 20 May 2005 was 65, all ranks. The number of Garda personnel assigned to each station, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, is continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public. Bandon Garda station is open to the public on a 24-hour basis. Accordingly, gardaí attached to Bandon Garda station provide a 24-hour service to the Bandon district.

In relation to Garda resources generally, I am very pleased that the Government has approved my proposal to increase the strength of the Garda Síochána to 14,000 members on a phased basis in line with the commitment in An Agreed Programme for Government in this regard. This is a key commitment in the programme for Government, and its implementation will significantly strengthen the operational capacity of the force.

Headline Offences Recorded and Detected for Bandon Garda District from 2000 to 2004*

Year	2004*	2003	2002	2001	2000
	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec
Homicide	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Assault	46	44	37	35	39	30	52	47	34	33
Sexual Offences	12	6	9	6	23	21	11	10	11	11
Arson	9	5	6	1	8	1	4	2	0	0
Drugs	8	8	20	20	19	19	22	22	8	8
Thefts	215	72	212	66	216	71	190	60	153	73
Burglary	103	40	89	31	101	19	160	61	90	24
Robbery	1	0	1	0	5	3	4	1	1	1
Fraud	16	12	12	7	33	30	32	27	14	9
Other	10	6	8	7	6	6	3	3	2	2
Total	420	193	394	173	450	200	478	233	313	161

*Statistics for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

321 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes, across all headings, recorded and detected for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, for Listowel Garda district, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17173/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

322 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes, across all headings, recorded and detected for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, for Tralee Garda district, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17175/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

323 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of crimes, across all headings, recorded and detected for the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004, for Castleisland Garda district, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17176/05]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 to 323, inclusive, together.

The Deputy will be aware that on becoming Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I arranged for the publication of headline crime statistics on a quarterly basis to improve the quality of information available to the public. While caution should be exercised in interpreting levels of crime between quarters, I am pleased to note that during my term of office as Minister, the quarterly crime rate has decreased from 6.7 per 1,000 population to six per 1,000 over the longer period of 11 quarters for which figures are available. This trend is reflected throughout most Garda districts in the country. In interpreting these figures, account has also to be taken of the introduction of the new PULSE computer system by the Garda Síochána in 1999, which led to more complete and comprehensive recording of crimes reported than was previously the case. The Deputy will also wish to be aware that, taking into account the significant increase in our population since 1995, the headline crime rate has fallen from 29 per 1,000 population in 1995 to 25 per 1,000 population in 2004.

The following tables show the headline offences, for the years 2000 to 2004 inclusive, for the Listowel Garda district, the Tralee Garda district and the Killarney Garda district, which covers the Castleisland area.

Table 1: Headline Offences Recorded and Detected for Listowel Garda District from 2000 to 2004*.

Year	2004*	2003	2002	2001	2000
	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec
Homicide	0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0
Assault	26	19	19	18	26	23	22	18	5	5
Sexual Offences	13	5	11	6	11	7	10	5	3	3
Arson	6	1	2	0	2	1	6	1	4	2
Drugs	10	10	5	5	16	16	11	11	6	6
Thefts	109	32	161	52	181	46	108	34	84	36
Burglary	82	27	67	28	81	32	97	32	70	29
Robbery	5	4	1	1	1	1	2	0	2	2
Fraud	21	20	4	2	9	8	10	8	12	9
Other	4	2	2	1	3	2	2	1	1	1
Total	276	120	272	113	331	137	268	110	187	93

*Statistics for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.

Table 2: Headline Offences Recorded and Detected for Tralee Garda District from 2000 to 2004*.

Year	2004*	2003	2002	2001	2000
	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec
Homicide	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Assault	50	37	48	38	57	46	54	39	23	20
Sexual Offences	32	10	20	12	31	11	8	7	4	2
Arson	24	12	11	3	9	2	9	4	2	0
Drugs	21	21	40	40	31	31	44	44	24	24
Thefts	445	250	521	274	562	241	438	203	408	167
Burglary	161	55	143	47	141	64	195	70	164	52
Robbery	7	3	14	9	7	4	10	5	9	4
Fraud	21	20	30	23	38	33	37	27	26	25
Other	8	6	9	8	9	7	5	3	4	3
Total	771	416	836	454	885	439	800	402	664	297

*Statistics for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.

Table 3: Headline Offences Recorded and Detected for Killarney Garda District from 2000 to 2004*.

Year	2004*	2003	2002	2001	2000
	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec	Rec	Dec
Homicide	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Assault	39	27	32	26	49	41	18	14	9	9
Sexual Offences	26	19	12	6	8	7	4	4	4	4
Arson	11	6	3	1	7	5	8	3	1	1
Drugs	7	7	7	7	10	10	15	15	11	11
Thefts	290	114	322	148	237	126	226	125	196	77
Burglary	87	12	74	12	119	35	139	46	129	30
Robbery	0	0	7	5	1	1	1	0	2	0
Fraud	18	12	13	8	36	31	39	31	9	8
Other	7	4	10	8	4	3	3	3	0	0
Total	486	202	480	221	471	259	453	241	361	140

*Statistics for 2004 are provisional/operational and liable to change.