Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Nov 1998

Vol. 495 No. 7

Written Answers. - Crime Levels.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

640 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the recorded crimes in each Garda division for the year ending 31 August 1998; the percentage change in recorded crime as against 1997; if he will provide a break-down of the crimes in each division under the headings murder, burglary, aggravated burglary with firearms, other aggravated burglary, robbery with firearms, other robbery, larceny from persons, larceny from vehicles and larceny from shops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21931/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

Crime statistics are not compiled in such a manner as to enable the comparisons raised by the question to be examined readily. For instance, the statistics for 1998 are still provisional and have not yet been published.

The best way of making the comparisons raised by the Deputy is by way of examining the Annual Crime Reports of the Garda Commissioner, which contain a break-down of serious crime on a divisional basis. Copies of the reports covering the years up to 1997 are available in the Oireachtas Library.

I understand, however, that provisional statistics for the current year show a continuing decline in the number of reported offences under most headings.