Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 May 2012
75Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline, in tabular form on a county basis, the number of crime prevention officers that have retired in 2010 and 2011; the number that have been replaced; the arrangements in place for those who have not been replaced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22622/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that seven crime prevention officers retired between 2010 and today's date. To crime prevention officers have been appointed by the Commissioner in the same period. The location of those who have retired and who have been appointed are set out in a table I will circulate with this reply.
Where the crime prevention function of the Garda Síochána is not provided at a district level, crime prevention and personal security advice is provided by appropriate divisional resources, including where necessary the services of the divisional crime prevention officer from neighbouring Garda divisions. It also is of course the case that all gardaí have a role in crime prevention.
I have no function in the internal allocation of Garda resources, including personnel but I am aware that Garda management keeps under review distributional Garda personnel in the light of available resources, crime trends and policing priorities at district, divisional and regional level. I have no doubt the position of crime prevention officers will be considered as part of this ongoing process.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
|
Location |
Retired 2010 |
Replaced |
Retired 2011 |
Replaced |
Retired 2012 |
Replaced |
|
Limerick |
1 |
Yes |
||||
|
Kildare |
1 |
Yes |
||||
|
Tipperary |
1 |
No |
||||
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
No |
||||
|
National Crime Prevention Unit |
1 |
No |
||||
|
Kerry |
1 |
No |
||||
|
DMR East |
1 |
No |
I thank the Minister. If I may raise an issue for the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Ceann Comhairle, given the manner in which replies are given in this format, I note Members do not have access to the aforementioned table. Perhaps, with his Dáil reform hat on, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle might look into this matter. However, the key message is five people have not been replaced since 2010. I will give the Minister an example of the impact this is having. One of those not replaced is in Tipperary. I have been contacted by a group in Tipperary and by Councillor Siobhán Ambrose on this matter. When the assistance of a crime prevention officer is needed in Tipperary the appointed officer in Waterford is called in. This situation has been ongoing since December 2010.
Given the Minister's earlier response in regard to burglary statistics, it is a matter of priority that there be a crime prevention officer in every county to drive home the message of burglary prevention. I am not sure what extra salary or allowances a crime prevention officer receives. However, five counties have been without a crime prevention officer since December 2010. While I understand every garda is involved in crime prevention work and that all gardaí are currently under huge pressure, the crime prevention officer has a specific role and mandate with which people and communities can identify. I ask that the Minister strongly suggest to Garda management that these vacancies be filled as a matter of urgency.
We all have a role to play in crime prevention and in making considered decisions in this area. It is not for me to second guess operational decisions made by the Garda Commissioner. The Deputy is correct that no crime prevention officer has been formally appointed in Tipperary following a retirement in December 2010. Deployment of members of the force is ultimately a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am happy to bring the concerns expressed by the Deputy on this issue to his attention.
