Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1175. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice for an update in relation to the work of Garda crime prevention officers, noting how many crime prevention officers, by rank, there are in each Garda division; the amount of funding crime prevention has received; number of arrests and prosecutions arising from the crime prevention operations. [35297/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I can, however, assure you that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.35 billion to An Garda Síochána this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
This level of funding provides for a steady pipeline of new Gardaí in the coming years, with new recruits entering the Garda College approximately every 11 weeks. Additionally, the Garda Commissioner has committed to yearly recruitment competitions.
In addition to new recruits, the rollout of the new Garda Operating Model will support the redeployment of Gardaí from non-core duties to frontline policing across the country. The new model will see larger divisions with more resources, increased Garda visibility in communities, a wider range of locally delivered policing services, and a strong focus on community policing.
Within each Garda Division, there are specialist Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs). CPOs are trained to encourage, promote and advise on crime prevention in both private and business communities.
There are currently 33 Crime Prevention Officers in the country. The list of which can be found here: www.garda.ie/en/crime-prevention/who-is-my-local-crime-prevention-officer-/
These figures are correct as of 5 August 2024. All Crime Prevention Officers are of Sergeant rank.
The funding for Crime Prevention is incorporated in to the local policing plan and is aligned to the Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy 2022-2024. It doesn’t receive specific funding as it is integrated into day to day operational policing.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all arrests and prosecutions that are made by An Garda Síochána are crime prevention operations. As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics.
The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases in relation to various crime statistics.
The most recent statistics were released on 26 June 2024, providing statistics for Recorded Crime for Quarter 1 2024. However, it is worth noting that crime statistics for Q2 of 2024 are not yet available and are due to be published by the CSO towards the end of September.
The most recent figures in respect of recorded crime incidents can be found on the CSO website at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-rc/recordedcrimeq12024/data/
