Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
180. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his Department’s efforts to fulfil the Programme for Government commitments regarding taking steps to reduce retail crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6078/26]
View answer182. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration his assessment of the rapid increase in retail crime, including theft, organised shoplifting and associated antisocial behaviour; the financial and operational impact this is having on small and family-owned retail businesses, which form the backbone of local economies and town centres; the supports, protections or targeted measures his Department is putting in place to assist retailers facing rising security costs, higher insurance premiums and staff safety concerns; the engagement is taking place with retailers’ representative bodies and other Departments, including justice and policing authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1441/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 182 together.
This Government takes any risk to retailers and retail staff very seriously. I am acutely aware of the personal and economic impact that retail crime is having on businesses, shop workers, and communities. I recognise that shoplifting and organised retail crime pose a significant threat to the economic welfare of Irish retailers and that retail theft is not a victimless crime.
The Programme for Government commits to publishing a Retail Crime Strategy with targeted actions to reduce retail crime and support affected businesses.
Work on preparing this Strategy is well underway. My officials are considering suggestions made for this strategy following my engagement with the retail community and they are also researching how other jurisdictions are tackling these matters.
In October 2025, my Department organised a targeted stakeholder engagement event with members of the Retail Forum which focused on discussions about what the strategy may contain and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to inform its ongoing development.
A coordinated approach across sectors will be required if strong, tangible actions are to be identified, implemented and achieved within the context of the Retail Crime Strategy.
The Programme for Government also makes a number of other commitments in relation to retail crime, many of which will be examined in the context of the Retail Crime Strategy. These include:
• Support Garda Operations to tackle retail crime including through the use of organised crime and proceeds of crime legislation.
• Examine the introduction of a specific offence of assaulting a retail worker.
• Tackle the practice of “retail defamation”.
• Improve data sharing between retailers and Gardaí.
• Introduce a new grant scheme for anti-theft and prevention measures.
• Expand the use of community sanctions for retail crime.
• Update the Public Order Acts to allow a prolific offender to be excluded from a retail premises for a certain period of time.
There are also a number of ongoing initiatives to address the issue of retail crime and these include:
• Supporting and resourcing ‘Operation Táirge’ which is a dedicated Garda operation aimed at detecting and preventing organised retail crime;
• Supporting An Garda Síochána: Budget 2026 provides a record allocation of €2.74 billion to An Garda Síochána which will support the continued recruitment of Gardaí and staff.
Supports for retailers affected by retail crime falls under my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke. The Department of Enterprise holds a Retail Forum on a quarterly basis with retailers and representative bodies, which provides an opportunity to discuss key issues of importance with stakeholders in the sector. An Garda Síochána also provide an update on retail crime matters at each forum.
