Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 May 2003

Vol. 566 No. 3

Written Answers. - Crime Prevention.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

413 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the categories of crime which have increased most in recent years; his proposals to deal with the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12996/03]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

415 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to address the issue of increased rates of crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12998/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 413 and 415 together.

Crime statistics are published in the annual reports of the Garda Síochána, which are available in the Oireachtas Library. The most recent published report is in respect of 2001. Provisional statistics for 2002 are also available in the Oireachtas library.

I recently released the provisional crime statistics for the first quarter of this year. While I would hesitate to draw too many conclusions from a change in just one quarter, I very much welcome the significant reduction shown by the figures. I was particularly pleased to see that, according to the statistics for the quarter, there was a 43% decrease in sexual assault cases, a 37% decrease in cases of assault causing harm, a 28% decrease in cases of possession of drugs for sale or supply and a 6% decrease in burglary.

I consider that the figures demonstrate that a strategic and targeted use of police resources can achieve results and vindicate the Government's policy of ensuring that the gardaí have the resources to investigate crime, the courts the resources to deal effectively with criminal cases, and the Prison Service sufficient prison places to ensure that those convicted of crime will serve the sentences imposed on them by the courts.

Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 403.

Question No. 415 answered with Question No. 413.