Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2010
150 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent to which serious crime figures have fluctuated in each of the past two years and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19762/10]
View answerRecorded crime statistics for 2009 published by the Central Statistics Office show a reduction in nine of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, compared with 2008. Significant decreases in the numbers of cases of manslaughter and dangerous driving leading to death contributed to a fall in homicide offences of 10.1% during 2009. There were also welcome decreases in public order offences, which were down 7.8% during 2009 and controlled drug offences, which were down 6.3%.
The statistics for the first quarter of 2010, the most recent available, show a decrease in 13 of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, compared with the same quarter in 2009. The number of homicide offences decreased by 28% in the quarter. Public order offences decreased by 11% and controlled drug offences by 17.2%. This shows that the Government's policies on tackling crime and the resources made available, along with the outstanding work of the dedicated members of An Garda Síochána, are having a positive effect.
While there is no acceptable level of homicide, the number of cases of murder and manslaughter combined showed no increase between 2008 and 2009 or in the first quarter of 2010. The Gardaí face severe challenges in dealing with gangland murders. It was partly against that background that last year I introduced two groundbreaking pieces of legislation: the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act. Since the legislation was enacted, the Gardaí have been utilising it fully to build up cases against those involved in gangland crime. I am pleased to see that charges are being brought under the legislation. In addition, there are files with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and more are being prepared for submission to him.
While there was a worrying increase of 2.2% in property theft shown in the 2009 figures, the statistics for the first quarter of 2010 show welcome reductions of 2.8% in burglary and related offences and 2.9% in theft and related offences, although there was an increase of 24.3% in robbery, extortion and hijacking offences (which make up 3% of such property offences). Both the Commissioner and I have been concerned at the level of property crime and one of the policing priorities which I set for An Garda Síochána in 2010 is achieving maximum levels of safety for local communities. An Garda Síochána will continue to develop and implement strategies to target those committing such crimes, which are often carried out against vulnerable members of the community.
The Criminal Procedure Bill 2009, currently before the House, gives effect to the measures contained in the Justice for Victims Initiative. The Bill proposes to end the ban on retrying persons who have been acquitted in specified circumstances and provides for reform of the law on victim impact statements.
I have recently introduced the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010, which will see the establishment, for the first time, of a national DNA database in Ireland. This represents a major step forward in the fight against serious crime. It will give the Gardaí access to intelligence on a scale and of a quality that has never before been available in this country.
The budgetary allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2010, set against a difficult economic backdrop, amounts to €1.5 billion and gives me the scope to continue to prioritise resources in dealing with crime. Despite the increased Garda retirements in 2009, the force numbered just over 14,500 members at the end of 2009, compared with 14,412 at the end of 2008 and 13,755 at the end of 2007. I have received sanction for a significant number of promotions in An Garda Síochána, notwithstanding the current moratorium on promotions in the public service. I welcome the publication of a Garda Inspectorate report on resource allocation in An Garda Síochána and recommendations which aim to improve the service to the public and the working conditions of frontline Gardaí. The Commissioner is preparing to implement a range of improvements to resource allocation systems.
