Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:78. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice to discuss crime prevention resources for the Blackrock area of Cork city. [18012/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (78, 94)
Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Question:94. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice to discuss crime prevention resources for the Mahon area of Cork city. [18011/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 94 together.
The Government is committed to creating stronger and safer rural and urban communities and a strengthened Garda Síochána is at the heart of that. My Department is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2023 of over €2 billion. This includes provision for the recruitment of 1,000 Gardaí.
In addition to new recruits, the rollout of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to front-line policing across the country. The new model will see larger Divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Mahon is serviced by Blackrock Garda station. I am advised by the Garda authorities that Blackrock, Anglesea Street and Bridewell Garda stations are now incorporated under one Functional Area as part of the Garda Operating Model – Cork City Centre Community Engagement.
I am informed that, as of 31 March 2023, the latest date for which figures are available, there is 1 Sergeant and 16 Gardaí assigned to Blackrock Garda Station, 2 of which are Community Gardaí. Additionally, support is available and provided as required from uniformed and/or plain clothed resources from the other Cork City Centre Community Engagement stations and policing of the area is covered on a 24/7 basis by a mobile unit attached to Blackrock.
As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of Garda members and staff is by law an operational policing matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as of the same date, there were 706 Garda sworn members assigned to Cork City, 328 to Cork North, and 284 to Cork West. These figures represent increases of 8%, 10% and 3% respectively since 2015.
Additionally, support is available and provided as required from uniformed and/or plain-clothes resources from the other Cork City Centre Community Engagement stations and policing of the area is covered on a 24/7 basis by a mobile unit attached to Blackrock.
I am further informed that Neighbourhood Watch is active in the area and that local Gardaí attend the local community fora, where any issues are discussed in a proactive manner.
In 2015 An Garda Síochána launched the highly successful Operation Thor, a nationwide operation established to tackle burglary and prosecute offenders. Operation Thor actively targets organised crime gangs and repeat offenders through co-ordinated crime prevention and enforcement activity based on intelligence and the latest burglary trends.
Since its inception in 2015, burglary has been trending downwards with overall reported burglary in 2022 45% lower than pre-pandemic levels of 2019.
An Garda Síochána also has a free property recording app. Should any items be stolen, the app provides a way of reporting this to An Garda Síochána and gives the public the option to share information with Gardaí for this purpose.
My Department also provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by community groups in administering the Text Alert Scheme.
Text Alert enables communities to set up a group to receive alerts advising them of suspicious or criminal activity in their area. As well as ensuring awareness among users of the service, it can also lead to them reporting suspicious activity to Gardaí.
Further information on the property marking app, text alert schemes and other crime prevention information can be found on the Garda website: www.garda.ie.