Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
434. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice if she will outline all steps currently being taken to tackle the abuse of older persons within society; and the specific measures being taken to deal with fraud which is particularly targeted at older persons. [29265/23]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to ensuring that people, especially the most vulnerable, across Ireland are safe and feel safe, and to ensuring that there is strong, visible and effective policing, including community policing.
This is reflected in the unprecedented allocation of over €2 billion in Budget 2023 which is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff.
A key pillar of the Programme for Government is building stronger and safer communities. I recognise that safety is not just about the number of Gardaí. Community safety is a whole of Government responsibility and it requires a multi-agency approach.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that a bespoke older persons plan is currently in development at the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau. The plan outlines how An Garda Síochána is committed to meeting the policing needs of older people in Ireland and I understand that the target date for the publication of this bespoke plan is later this year
To deliver on this commitment, the plan is linked with the Garda Community Policing Framework, the Garda Diversity Strategy, the Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy and Ireland's Government Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030. An Garda Síochána will determine and respond to the needs and expectations of older people. This plan will be realised through the following four strategic objectives:
1. Reduce the fear of crime and crimes against older people.
2. Increase Garda engagement and accessibility with older people.
3. Support Community and Road Safety initiatives that assist older people.
4. Utilise community partnerships and consultation of older people to respond to the ongoing needs and expectations of older people.
There are numerous crime prevention information campaigns published by An Garda Síochána that are also of assistance in providing older people with valuable information to assist in combatting and preventing crimes such as ‘Personal Safety – Security for the Older Persons’ and ‘Personal Safety - Bogus Traders/Callers’ as well as Community Policing based initiatives such as the Community Text Alert scheme which was designed in consultation with Community Alert, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association.
With regards to fraud, the Government are implementing the first cross-government plan to introduce reforms to tackle economic crime and corruption. The Hamilton Review implementation plan sets out 22 actions to be completed across government, focusing primarily on legislative, structural and resourcing measures to enhance the capacity of agency and multi-agency enforcement and the prevention of corruption and white collar crime offences.
Further to this the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) provide training and support to all Garda Divisions on the local investigation of fraud related crimes. There has been a 21% increase in resourcing provided to the GNECB since the end of 2020, with members assigned to GNECB up from 95 to 115 at the end of April 2023.
It is important to note that adult safeguarding is not a just a Justice matter. It is an important matter for all sectors, society as a whole, all agencies and all Government Departments. Every sector has specific safeguarding responsibilities for adults at risk within their remit.
As the Deputy may already be aware, the Law Reform Commission is preparing a major report on A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding, that is expected to inform future policy and legislation on adult safeguarding across all sectors.
Upon completion of the Commission’s report, I expect that relevant Departments will consider any recommendations the Commission may make regarding legislation relevant to their Departments’ functions and any recommendations it may make in relation to cross-departmental, cross-sectoral, inter-agency or whole of society approaches.
