Jackie Cahill
Ceist:18. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to increase the number of community gardaí in the Tipperary Garda division. [27400/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 28 September 2016
Ceisteanna (18)
Freagraí ó Béal (6 píosaí cainte)
What are the Minister's plans to increase the number of community gardaí in the Tipperary Garda division? In the five years from 2011 to 2016 the number of community gardaí in Tipperary has decreased by 26%. Unfortunately, in the last number of years Tipperary has been receiving unwanted attention in regard to the level of crime in the county. Approximately 12 months ago, a public meeting on the issue was attended by almost 2,000 people. The role of the community garda cannot be overstated. A 26% decrease in community garda numbers is alarming.
The latest date for which figures are readily available, which is 31 August 2016, indicate that there were 780 community gardaí assigned to Garda divisions throughout the country, 74 of which were assigned to the Tipperary division. It is the case - the Garda Commissioner makes this point continuously - that all gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. I support that. It is true that community policing involves far more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána strategic plan for this year sets as a priority the further development of community policing. I agree with the Deputy that this is an issue at the heart of An Garda Síochána in rural and urban areas. It is recognised that every community has its own concerns and that the Garda need to respond in that regard. In terms of the Garda Síochána modernising programme 2016 to 2021 the focus is on supporting and developing the community policing ethos.
In terms of recruitment, the plan is to increase Garda numbers to 15,000 and to double the Garda reserve. Subject to the budget, new civilians will be recruited into An Garda Síochána next year so that we can provide An Garda Síochána with the type of civilian expertise it needs and thus enable the release of gardaí to front-line duties. We are in the process of finalising this process in regard to gardaí engaged in immigration duties at the airport so that they are free to do more focused work. Taking account of the projected requirements, reaching a strength of 15,000 members will require an additional 3,200 new gardaí to be recruited on a phased basis over the next four years, in addition to the 1,200 that have already been taken into the college. The Garda Commissioner will be in a position to ensure that areas such as the Deputy's will have more gardaí in the time ahead as we double the amount of civilians in the system, recruit new gardaí and double the reserve.
The Garda Inspectorate 2014 crime investigation report identified issues that raised questions about the real value placed on community policing in the Garda Síochána and in regard to the inconsistency of approach to community garda. There are a couple of points I would like to make in that regard. The percentage of gardaí engaged in administrative and non-operational duties is noteworthy, with more gardaí in some administrative non-operational posts than in community policing units. Some districts have reduced the number of gardaí in community policing and others have removed all full-time community gardaí. Some community gardaí see their role as community engagement and not enforcement while others are investigating the full range of criminal offences, suggesting there is a lack of clarity in the role of a community garda. The role of community gardaí in regard to urban and rural crime cannot be over-estimated. The amount of information that can be gathered by a community garda in the prevention and solving of crimes cannot be underestimated. The 2014 crime investigation report raises questions in respect of which I would like to hear the Tánaiste's response.
We are committed to prioritising community crime prevention schemes. Last week, at the National Ploughing Championships, I announced a double of funding for the community alert programme to €350,000. That funding will go directly to local groups. This is a tangible expression of our commitment to supporting the partnership approach. Communities have a big role to play, as does business. We have seen some terrific initiatives around the country. The Garda are working with local businesses and taxi firms to ensure there is a whole of community approach to reducing crime. Investment in An Garda Síochána is also being increased, including the provision this year of additional funding for the installation of more CCTV cameras around the country, which is also a good preventative tool.
In terms of community policing, as every Deputy here is aware, the Garda engages with a wide range of local groups, including informal community groups and the joint policing committees. There is in excess of 3,700 neighbourhood watch and community alert groups in place. There is good local involvement by our police in many areas. This will improve as Garda numbers increase and more civilians are recruited to deal with the issue of gardaí doing tasks inappropriate to them.
I thank the Tánaiste for her response. As I said earlier, there has been huge focus on the level of organised crime in Tipperary. Thankfully, the Garda Síochána has in the recent past cracked some of those criminal gangs and it is hoped this will lead to convictions. The closure of rural Garda stations enforces the need for community garda. I welcome the Tánaiste's comments. As I said, the number of community gardaí in the Tipperary division has been reduced significantly. We would welcome priority in future allocations to try to rectify that situation.
We did have an economic crisis. Templemore College was closed. Thankfully, with the economic situation improved it has been re-opened and we can invest further in the type of resources the Garda Síochána need. We have seen the success of Operation Thor. The 26% success rate in that regard was officially confirmed in the CSO figures released today. As the Deputy has acknowledged, locally, criminal gangs are being apprehended and rural crime levels have decreased. There is no question of that. This is the result of focused policing, over-time provision and a greater focus on burglaries. We should see the impact of the new legislation in this area in our courts in the coming months. Consecutive sentences will be imposed on burglars, which is a very big deterrent. We are committed to ongoing work to make communities such as the Deputy's safer.
Question No. 19 replied to with Written Answers.