Michael Bell
Ceist:20 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the plans, if any, his Department have to deal with the continuing increase in the level of crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Crime Level.
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:24 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Phil Hogan
Ceist:31 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:37 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice whether he has satisfied himself that existing and proposed Garda strength and deployment is sufficient to combat the crime rate based on recent trends, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:42 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice if he will confirm the accuracy of figures published in the latest issue of Garda Review which claims an increase of almost 8 per cent in the crime figures for 1991; if he will outline the steps he intends to take to deal with this major increase in crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
John Browne
Ceist:44 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:47 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:56 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:86 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice the measures he proposes to take in order to reduce the incidence of indictable crime, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 24, 31, 37, 42, 44, 47, 56 and 86 together.
First, on the subject of statistics, I am informed by the Garda authorities that the 1991 crime statistics are not finalised, but that the indications are that the level of crime increased last year. Official figures for 1991 will not be available until later this year when the Commissioner's annual report on crime will be published. While I cannot, therefore, confirm the accuracy of the figures contained in the article to which the Deputy refers, I can say that present indications are that the final figures will show an overall increase of the order of 7 to 8 per cent.
Nobody could pretend that an overall increase in crime figures in any year — whatever its magnitude — is anything other than a disappointment. However, it is necessary, in the interest of balance, to bear certain considerations in mind when looking at gross crime figures for any particular year.
I should mention the following points in particular. First, it is vitally important in assessing the real sigificance of movements in gross crime figures in a particular year to realise that they include offences ranging from extremely serious crimes against the person to crimes which, though still a source of concern, are far less serious in nature. The full significance of movements in the overall statistics — as a measure of real changes in the actual law and order situation — can be gauged only when all of the detailed figures are available for scrutiny. Secondly, it is extremely important when looking at crime figures to examine not just the movements that take place from one year to the next, though that, in itself, is obviously a perfectly valid exercise, but also to look at the pattern over longer time spans. Even with last year's trend, which as I say was disappointing, the overall position is still far better than it was some years ago. Thirdly, the growth in crime is, sadly, a worldwide phenomenon. The experience in this regard in many Western countries, which are much better placed than we are in terms of resources, is far worse than ours. It is wrong to look upon crime increase simply as a matter of slippage of effort on behalf of the Government or the law enforcement agencies. The reality is that the number of crimes attempted or committed in any year is something which is determined first and foremost by those members of the community who choose the way of crime. They have parents, they belong to families, they have friends and neighbours, many of whom know about them and about what they do. That is why it is vitally important that members of the community who are in a position to dissuade those inclined towards crime or in a position to assist by means of intervention during the child's formative years, parents, teachers and others, or are otherwise in a position to assist the Garda in the prevention and detection of crime, should do so. There is, I am glad to say, a growing consciousness among various professionals dealing with children of the importance of early intervention and help.
I have drawn attention to the foregoing considerations only in the interest of balance and certainly not to give the impression that last year's crime increase is something that can be looked upon with complacency. Far from it, in fact. I can assure the House that as soon as it became apparent that an upward trend was emerging, immediate steps were taken to address the situation. I have had consultations with the Garda Commissioner on the practical measures which can be taken immediately to deal with crime and I can report that a wide range of plans have been implemented, with success, on the Garda operational front. For obvious reasons I cannot go into detail on all the practical Garda measures which are now being taken but I can assure the House that the indications so far are positive.
I would also refer Deputies to the 1992 law enforcement package which was published in December 1991 and which outlined the approach and the measures that will be taken this year in preserving law and order and protecting the community against crime. I shall ensure that this package which deals with vitally important measures such as neighbourhood watch and community alert schemes, the development of Garda community policing arrangements, the Garda schools programme and the juvenile liaison officer scheme, is fully implemented during the year.
I am also looking forward to receiving in the near future the first report of the high-level interdepartmental group on urban crime who are now engaged in an examination of the situation in urban areas particularly hard hit by criminal activity. The establishment of this group, of course, reflected an acknowledgment of the fact that crime is a multi-dimensional issue. It is not something which can be approached simply from a police and law and order perspective. All international experience fully bears this out.
The crime situation is being kept under constant review by the Garda authorities and they — and I — will ensure that all appropriate action will be taken to ensure that the problem is effectively tackled.
I am particularly pleased that the Minister accepts the sentiments expressed in the question and that there has been an increase in the level of crime, about which he is concerned, and which will probably work out at 8 per cent. However it will give the people who live in urban and rural communities no joy to learn that comparisons are being made with the position in other countries within the European Community or elsewhere in the world; we are concerned about what is happening here. Would the Minister indicate to the House what he proposes to do when the figures are made available? Will he put proposals before the House and afford the House an opportunity to debate and discuss the substantial increase in the level of crime in urban and rural areas as it is a very serious problem?
I accept that the level of crime which I have indicated is disappointing and gives us no joy at all. The Deputy suggested that the matter should be discussed in the House but I think we regularly get an opportunity to discuss these matters when the Estimates are published and when legislation dealing with crime is discussed.
Would the Minister indicate when the facts and figures and reports to which he has referred will be made available? Would he agree that the main problem which is a source of worry to the community at large is that the number of Garda foot patrols has not reached the level promised by his predecessor and does he propose to do something about this?
I cannot say positively when the commissioner's annual report on crime will be published but I expect that it will be published in the not too distant future. The Deputy may take it for granted that every effort is being made, as he suggests, to keep the level of patrols up to the mark.
We must now proceed to deal with Private Notice Questions. I have had a number of Private Notice Questions——
Before you do so, Sir, I should say that I do not want a written reply to Question No. 21 and that it should be kept for the next occasion on which the Minister answers questions.
The Deputy's request will be acceded to.