Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
130. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered implementing a farm watch scheme such as those in operation in areas of the United Kingdom which help police combat rural crime and theft of agricultural equipment and livestock by working with farmers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35775/15]
View answerI am of course very conscious of the serious impact of the theft of equipment and livestock and similar crimes on farm families and rural communities.
My response, as Minister for Justice and Equality, to crime in both rural and urban areas, and burglaries in particular, is focussed on two key objectives; strengthening the law to get tougher on serious and repeat offenders, principally through the Criminal Justice (Burglary of Dwellings) Bill, 2015 which is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas, and investing in the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce that law effectively through the significantly enhanced Garda resources which the Government is now making available, including the very significant investments in manpower, vehicles and surveillance resources which were announced on Budget Day and in the Capital Plan 2016-2021.
The Deputy will be aware that as part of the overall package of measures to oppose criminality, the Garda authorities pursue a range of partnerships with community stakeholders, including the farming organisations. In 2013 An Garda Síochána published Community Crime Prevention Guidelines to assist in the establishment and operation of various community and neighbourhood watch schemes. The Deputy will also be aware that there are several other initiatives which have been established in partnership with the Irish Farmers Association, Muintir na Tire and other rural community organisations, including the well established Community Alert Programme, the ongoing work of the Metal Theft Forum, the Crimestoppers campaign highlighting the Theft of Livestock, the new Theftstop initiative in relation to farm equipment, and the highly successful Garda Text Alert Scheme.
In this regard, I am pleased to say that the Budget Day announcements included significantly increased funding from my Department for the Community Alert programme.
While the detail of crime prevention measures, such as the UK example referred to, are a matter for the Garda authorities in the first instance, I will of course be glad to give careful consideration to any further proposals for such initiatives in consultation with the Garda authorities. I am confident that further partnership working can assist in tackling crime and meeting the needs of rural communities, and I would like to acknowledge the value of the valuable work done to date by all involved.
