Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:108. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda business fora established since May 2016. [39763/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 13 December 2016
Ceisteanna (108)
Freagraí scríofa
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matter referred to by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question (No. 108 of 13 December, 2016) where you sought:
"....the number of business fora established since May 2016".
As you will recall, the requested information could not be obtained in the time available and I undertook to contact you again when the Garda report was to hand.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána engages with a wide range of stakeholder groups as an integral part of its approach to policing and crime prevention. At national level a Strategic Retail Forum is convened twice a year as an important element in the implementation of the Garda Theft from Shops Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy. Participants in the Forum include An Garda Síochána, Retail Ireland, RGDATA, the Small Firms Association (SFA), the Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME), senior retail management representatives, security companies, chambers of commerce, chairs of local business fora and JPC representatives.
The Forum promotes schemes that build partnerships and support local Business Watch programmes. The purpose of the national forum is for stakeholders to share information from the meetings throughout their own organisations and encourage retailers to avail of the services of Divisional Crime Prevention Offices.
At local level Business Watch Schemes operate in various locations around the country, in cooperation with local Gardai. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that 33 notifications were received by An Garda Síochána regarding the establishment of Business Watch Schemes nationally since the commencement of 2016. I understand that, of these, 6 have been established since May, 2016.
I hope this information is of assistance.