Tuesday, 26 Jul 2022

Crime Prevention

Questions (1582)

Holly Cairns

Question:

1582. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the steps that are being taken to address dog thefts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41033/22]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice

Pet theft is a very cruel crime which causes significant trauma for pet owners. I fully appreciate the strong emotional attachment we all have to our pets and that theft not only leads to their loss in our lives, but also a high level of concern for their welfare.

It is important to emphasise that theft offences already apply to this crime, and can carry very heavy penalties. The Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 provides for a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment in the case of offences of theft and handling of stolen property; while a maximum sentence of 5 years imprisonment is provided for the offence of possession of stolen property.

From an enforcement perspective, An Garda Síochána take this issue very seriously and have conducted several important actions against those responsible. Gardaí have also disseminated information through the national Crime Prevention Officer Network regarding keeping animals secure and preventing these forms of theft. The Garda National Crime Prevention Unit's advice on pet safety, which is in line with the advice from animal welfare groups and animal insurance companies about keeping animals safe, can be viewed on the Garda website.

I would like to emphasise the importance of microchipping. Every dog must be microchipped by the time it reaches 12 weeks of age, or earlier if it is sold or moved from its place of birth (Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015), and the microchip must be registered with an authorised database. Microchipping of all dogs protects the animals’ welfare, and assists with speedy identification of lost or stolen dogs and their owners. It is an offence to keep a dog over 12 weeks that has not been chipped and it is an offence to sell such a dog. Microchips can be easily checked at vets and by Gardaí. They are by far and away the most effective means of tracking and identifying dogs.

The Department of Agriculture have also made regulations covering the advertising for sale of animals under the Animal Welfare (Sale or supply of pet animals) Regulations 2019.

All that said, I am pleased to say that the situation in relation to dog theft has improved considerably this year, as can be seen from the table under. As the Deputy will recall, there was a significant increase in dog thefts during Covid, as the price of dogs rose due to increased demand. Now that people are no longer restricted to their own homes, that demand would appear to have lessened and combined with the measures referred to above, the number of dog thefts has reduced to pre-Covid levels with on average one incident of dog theft per county in the first half of this year.

I will, of course, continue to monitor the situation to see if any further action is required.

	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022*
Dog Theft Incidents	60	70	121	116	25
Stolen Dogs	145	204	228	280	41

*2022 information is up to and inclusive of 05 July 2022 Figures are operational and subject to change.

Official Engagements

Questions (1583, 1584, 1585)

John Brady

Question:

1583. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if she has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41122/22]

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John Brady

Question:

1584. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if she has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41140/22]

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John Brady

Question:

1585. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice if she or her Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if she will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41158/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1583 to 1585, inclusive, together.

Under Section 15 of the Ethics in Public Office Act (1995) gifts presented to office holders valued in excess of €650 are deemed to be gifts to the State and must be recorded accordingly following valuation through the Office of Public Works. I did not receive any gifts worth more than €650 from visiting dignitaries since taking office as Minister for Justice, nor have I provided gifts to visiting dignitaries.

The Deputy may wish to note that, while visiting Atlanta and Savannah in March 2022 for St Patrick's Day, I purchased gifts to provide personally, the cost of which will not be expensed. While visiting New York to speak at the UN and meet with local law enforcement agencies Minister Browne gave some small personal tokens of Ireland which were not expensed.

I can also confirm that Office Holders in my Department have not given or received any gifts worth over €650. The regulations regarding receipt of gifts by civil servants in my Department and all government Departments are set out in Section 16 of the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour 2004. All staff in my Department have been provided with a copy of the Code as part of the Departments Corporate Governance Framework. In addition, under Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act, 1995, all staff at Principal Officer grade and above, and those officers in designated positions under the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001, are required to declare any gifts received of a value in excess of that set out in the Ethics Acts, in an annual Statement of Interests.

Question No. 1584 answered with Question No. 1583.

Question No. 1585 answered with Question No. 1583.

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1586)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1586. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to Ballymun Garda station, by grade, at the end of June 2022, or the latest date available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41177/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.

The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with the unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.

I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that at 30 June 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 137 Garda members assigned to Ballymun Garda station. This represents an increase of over 21% since December 2017.

For the Deputy's information the table below, which was provided to me by the Garda authorities, sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to Ballymun District at 30 June 2022, the latest date for which figures are available.

7
District	Station	GD	SG	IN	SU	CS	AC	Total
BALLYMUN	BALLYMUN	110	20	4	2	1		137
	DUBLIN AIRPORT	42	6	1				49
	SANTRY	69	12					81
	TOTAL	221	38	5	2	1		267

In the interests of transparency, further detailed information in relation to Garda numbers can be found on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.

The information can be found at the following link:

www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures

An Garda Síochána

Questions (1587)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1587. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the national average number of gardaí per 1,000 of the population; the number of gardaí per 1,000 of the population in each Garda division and station, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41178/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I have requested the information sought by the Deputy, which regrettably was not available in the timeframe available. I will write to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 1578 of 26 July 2022 where you sought:

‘the national average number of gardaí per 1,000 of the population; the number of gardaí per 1,000 of the population in each Garda division and station in tabular form’

As you will recall, I had sought the information you requested from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand.

As you will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána. This includes responsibility for the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in the matter.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the Division and its specific needs.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that on 30 June 2022, the latest date for which figures are available, there were 14,299 Garda members across the country. The table appended below outlines the number of Gardaí at all ranks assigned to each of the four geographic regions and 28 geographic divisions. I am informed that the data is not available at station level.

As you will appreciate, Garda numbers nationwide can be affected by a number of factors, including retirements, medical discharges and resignations. The impact of policing measures and other steps to support the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has also had an exceptional impact across the country over the past two years.

Appendix

Region/Division	Garda #s	Population*	per 1000
D.M.R.	3,920	1,392,290	2.82
D.M.R. EAST	370	207,911	1.78
D.M.R. NORTH	786	363,162	2.16
D.M.R. NORTH CENTRAL	658	97,656	6.74
D.M.R. SOUTH	562	256,884	2.19
D.M.R. SOUTH CENTRAL	641	135,340	4.74
D.M.R. WEST	748	331,337	2.26
DMR OFFICE	8
DMR ROADS POLICING	94
DMR SOUTH (COMM & CONTROL)	53
EASTERN	2,776	1,276,390	2.17
KILDARE	439	229,645	1.91
KILKENNY/CARLOW	336	159,000	2.11
LAOIS / OFFALY	385	162,081	2.38
MEATH	331	199,378	1.66
WATERFORD	383	125,542	3.05
WESTMEATH	255	98,071	2.60
WEXFORD	337	154,882	2.18
WICKLOW	310	147,791	2.10
NORTH WESTERN	2,764	1,047,168	2.64
CAVAN / MONAGHAN	386	142,155	2.72
DONEGAL	446	164,528	2.71
GALWAY	615	266,874	2.30
LOUTH	401	135,372	2.96
MAYO	321	135,463	2.37
ROSCOMMON / LONGFORD	299	101,553	2.94
SLIGO / LEITRIM	296	101,223	2.92
SOUTHERN	3,016	1,205,648	2.50
CLARE	312	113,587	2.75
CORK CITY	719	267,248	2.69
CORK NORTH	337	162,083	2.08
CORK WEST	293	137,475	2.13
KERRY	352	148,481	2.37
LIMERICK	603	212,045	2.84
TIPPERARY	400	164,729	2.43
National Total (Geographic Regions)	12,476	4,921,496	2.54
HQ, College, National/Specialist Units	1,823
National Total (All)	14,299		2.91

*CSO figures: 2019 population projections from the 2016 Census

Drug Dealing

Questions (1588)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

1588. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions for drug possession with intent to supply offences since 2015; the number of these which received custodial sentences each year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41179/22]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

The Deputy will be aware that the management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.

The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.

To be of assistance, I have also referred the Deputy's query directly to the Courts Service.

Crime Data

Questions (1589, 1590, 1591, 1592, 1593, 1594, 1595, 1596, 1597, 1598, 1599, 1600, 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604)

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Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1589 to 1604, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role.

I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of Garda members throughout the State under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure An Garda Síochána is optimally positioned to keep our communities safe.I am advised by the Garda authorities that PULSE does not currently include specific location types for public transport providers. As such, it is not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy.

However, I am advised that Garda management engages extensively with transport operators, including the National Transport Authority, Irish Rail (DART and InterCity rail) and Transdev Ireland (Luas) to provide a high visibility presence through a co-ordinated approach.I am informed by the Garda authorities that a range of regional and local operations have been put in place to prevent and detect criminal activity and anti-social behaviour on public transport. For example, Operation Twin Track was a Community Engagement and Rail Safety Policing Initiative conducted by Gardaí in partnership with other public transportation stakeholders with the purpose of providing high visibility policing of rail and light rail transport within the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) and nationwide, and to deliver crime prevention advice. It will take place again in the coming days.

A multi-agency review was conducted to examine the effectiveness of this operation and it was agreed that An Garda Síochána will continue to proactively engage with public transportation stakeholders and providers to conduct further similar operations.

For the Deputy's information, in January 2022, to further support, enhance and strengthen the strategic and operational objectives of Operation Citizen in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR). Assistant Commissioner, DMR launched Operation Saul to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising public transport services in the DMR together with reassuring the citizens, visitors and the business community in Dublin that it is a safe place in which to visit, socialise, conduct business and enjoy all its amenities.

Operation Saul currently operates in DMR South Central, North Central & South Divisions, however, plans are ongoing to extend this operation to the entire DMR Region.

The aim of Operational Saul is to co-ordinate and manage all working resources in each Division to deliver both an overt and covert policing presence around the environs of Luas, DART and Bus services in Dublin, on a regular and, where necessary, daily basis. I am advised that this will be achieved through the following measures;

- Allocating overt beat personnel to Luas, DART and Bus services to perform high visibility patrols to prevent and detect anti-social behaviour and public order offences.

- Reducing opportunities for anti-social behaviour while dealing proactively and professionally with any public order issues through a zero tolerance approach.

- Acting to prevent and detect crime, preserve the peace and minimise disruption to Luas, DART and Bus services.

- In partnership with partner agencies, An Garda Síochána deployed on duties under Operation Saul will achieve a common goal of making this service safe.

- Improve the quality of day to day life for local stakeholders, businesses and commuters of Luas, DART and Bus services.

- Issuing Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO) where appropriate.

- Issuing Fixed Charge Penalty Notices (FCPNs) in respect of certain offences, where detected and appropriate.

- Effecting arrests in appropriate circumstances.

- Record all patrols under Operation Saul with Superintendent, Communications Centre on CAD incident number.

Each Chief Superintendent in the DMR ensures regular collaboration under Operation Saul with partner agencies in order to ensure the success and sustainability of the initiative. Central to the success of this initiative is maintaining a strong partnership with transport partner agencies.

I am advised that for the period 31st January - 30th June, 2022, there were are a total of 3,061 incidents recorded on the Garda PULSE System associated with Operation Saul.

Of these incidents 2,979 were non-crime and 82 were crimes which are either under active investigation or have resulted in an accused persons appearing before the Criminal Courts. A total of 65 charges have been preferred under the Operation so far, as well as a small number of Adult cautions and Juvenile referrals.

Quarterly, if not more regularly, meetings are required to take place between appropriate members of An Garda Síochána in each Division in the DMR to examine any issues and review existing approaches and to inform partner agencies on upcoming plans, operations and advancements in the area of managing these issues in the public transport sphere.

Question No. 1590 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1591 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1592 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1593 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1594 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1595 answered with Question No. 1589.

Question No. 1596 answered with Question No. 1589.