Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
112. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of recorded burglaries in County Tipperary for the years 2011 to 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35184/15]
View answerI am advised that the number of burglary and related offences recorded in the CSO official crime figures for the Tipperary Garda Division in each of the years in question was 737 in 2011, 693 in 2012, 755 in 2013, 637 in 2014 and 269 in 2015 up to 30 June.
While the number of incidents in Tipperary is down over the past year, I recognise that burglary is a persistent and highly damaging crime, particularly in the very distressing situations where householders may be assaulted by the criminals involved. I am conscious of the serious impact of such crimes on families and communities and recognise the public concern at these crimes, in Tipperary and elsewhere.
As I have outlined in answer to other questions today, my response to burglaries, and to crime generally, is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders and investing in the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce that law effectively. Earlier this year I initiated a broad and urgent review of the criminal justice system's response to the problem of burglaries. This included a focus on interagency measures in relation to the management of prolific offenders, visible policing, crime prevention support for communities, and an examination of legislative issues.
On foot of this review, I have published the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, 2015. This legislation targets repeat burglary offenders through bail measures and provisions concerning the imposition of consecutive sentencing for repeat burglary offending. The key objective of this legislation is to target a cohort of persistent offenders who prey on law abiding householders and clearly have no concern for the damage and distress which they inflict on others. As the Deputy is aware the detail of the legislation is currently before the Houses of Oireachtas for debate and I hope to have it enacted as soon as possible.
I am also in ongoing contact with the Commissioner to ensure that we maximise the enforcement of all relevant laws in this area, by providing An Garda Síochána with the appropriate supports to take account of evolving trends and patterns in burglary offences.
As I have outlined previously, the Garda strategy to counter burglaries and related crimes has been coordinated under Operation Fiacla, which has led to 14,672 arrests, and 8,358 charges brought to date. I am providing the Commissioner with the means to enhance this operational response. Most significantly, last September we reopened the Garda College to new recruits for the first time since 2009. To date, 400 new Gardaí have started their training, with the first 295 having already passed-out and are now working in communities nationwide. 150 more recruits are due to enter Garda College in coming weeks, and, following the Budget Day announcements, there will be a further 600 new recruits in 2016, underlining the Government's commitment to providing communities throughout the country with the reassurance that comes from a visible and determined police force.
In a modern context the provision of policing in rural areas must be focussed on highly mobile and flexible responses to crime patterns and the needs of communities. This will be facilitated by the very significant investment in Garda vehicles and equipment including the €700,000 for new high powered vehicles in 2015, and €1.75m to upgrade surveillance equipment on Garda aircraft. In all, we have invested nearly €29 million in new Garda vehicles since 2012, with 370 new vehicles coming on stream already this year. In addition, the future commitment to supporting an Garda Síochána in opposing criminals in all areas of the country is underscored by the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021 which makes provision for the ongoing delivery of new Garda vehicles, as well as very significant investment in new technology and information systems for An Garda Síochána, amounting to an investment of €205m over the life of the Plan.
With the benefit of the very significant allocations which the Government is making for Garda resources, I am working closely with the Commissioner to finalise details of an enhanced operational response to burglaries and related crimes, and I expect to be in a position to make further announcements in this regard shortly. These measures represent an investment in the safety of our communities and underscore the commitment of this Government to ensure that those on the frontline in tackling crime, including burglary, have the capacity to do so effectively.
