Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2010
52 Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showing increases in 12 of the 16 main recorded offence groups between 2004 and 2008; the steps he is taking to counter this upward trend in crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12983/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the CSO publication Garda Recorded Crime Statistics 2004 — 2008 referred to by the Deputy indicates increases in a number of crime categories over the four year period, I am pleased to note that there were decreases of 20% in sexual offences, 15% in robbery, extortion and hijacking offences, 9% in homicide offences and 1% in burglary and related offences. Increases in a number of categories, such as public order and controlled drug offences, can be attributed to the effect of increased Garda enforcement activity.
CSO recorded crime statistics for 2009, the most recent available, show a decrease in nine of the 14 crime groups for which statistics are given, compared with 2008. This indicates that the work of An Garda Síochána and other justice agencies is providing a robust and consistent response to the threat posed by criminal elements. Significant decreases in the numbers of cases of manslaughter and dangerous driving leading to death contributed to a fall in homicide offences of 10.1% during 2009. There were also welcome decreases in public order offences, which were down 7.8% during 2009, and controlled drug offences, which were down 6.3%.
While the number of cases of murder and manslaughter taken together (55 in total) showed no increase between 2008 and 2009, I continue, nevertheless, to be concerned about the levels of such crimes. The Gardaí face severe challenges in dealing with gangland murders. It was partly against that background that last year I introduced two ground breaking pieces of legislation: the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act and the Criminal Justice (Amendment) Act. Since the legislation was enacted, the Gardaí have been utilising it fully to build up cases against those involved in gangland crime. Some files are with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and more are being prepared for submission to him.
I am concerned by the 2.2% increase in property theft shown in the most recent CSO figures. Everyone will be conscious of the fears of elderly people, many of whom live alone. We have seen a number of cases where elderly people have been subject to bogus callers to their homes. While people should be vigilant, we must do what we can to protect elderly and vulnerable people. I have met the Attorney General about the issue of mandatory sentencing for such crimes, and he has requested the Law Reform Commission to examine the issue. I will consider whether any further measures are required in the context of the examination by the Law Reform Commission and advice from the Attorney General.
The Criminal Procedure Bill 2009, currently before the House, gives effect to the measures contained in the Justice for Victims Initiative. The Bill proposes to end the ban on retrying persons who have been acquitted in specified circumstances and provides for reform of the law on victim impact statements.
I have recently introduced the Criminal Justice (Forensic Evidence and DNA Database System) Bill 2010, which will see the establishment, for the first time, of a national DNA database in Ireland. This represents a major step forward in the fight against serious crime. It will give the Gardaí access to intelligence on a scale and of a quality that has never before been available in this country. When the Bill becomes law, everyone who is arrested for a serious offence can be required to give a sample. Everyone serving a sentence for a serious offence when this law comes into force will also be required to give a sample. Analysis of this material will produce hits that may indicate a link between the person and other offences where that person was previously involved, but no link had previously come to light.
The budgetary allocation for An Garda Síochána in 2010, set against a difficult economic backdrop, amounts to €1.5 billion and gives me the scope to continue to prioritise resources in dealing with crime. Despite the increased Garda retirements in 2009, the force numbered just over 14,500 members at the end of 2009, compared with 14,412 at the end of 2008 and 13,755 at the end of 2007. I recently received sanction for a significant number of promotions in An Garda Síochána, notwithstanding the current moratorium on promotions in the public service. I welcome the recent publication of a Garda Inspectorate report on resource allocation in An Garda Síochána and recommendations which aim to improve the service to the public and the working conditions of frontline Gardaí. The Commissioner is preparing to implement a range of improvements to resource allocation systems. I will work with the Commissioner and all concerned to deliver an even better policing service for communities countrywide.
In addition to the significant capital investment in prisons in recent years additional resources are also being provided for capital works in 2010.
