Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. The small areas policing programme, which has been in operation in Dublin for five years, has had considerable success. The programme reconnects An Garda Síochána, whose mission statement is to serve and protect, with the communities. The programme has been very successful in reducing petty crime, making people feel safe in their homes, and giving them assurances that the members of An Garda Síochána not only know them but work to protect them.

For decades, whether in urban or rural areas, everybody knew their local gardaí because they lived primarily in the communities. Many members of the force lived in the stations. There was always a garda living in most Garda stations. As that was phased out they lived within the community but, unfortunately, the police service has become more upwardly mobile with members living outside their jurisdiction and commuting to work. That is not the fault of any member of An Garda Síochána; it is just modern living. There was a time when teachers, gardaí and doctors lived in their parishes. That is no longer the case but it is not as essential for teachers or those in other professions to have as much of a knowledge of the area in which they work as it is for gardaí.

This excellent programme has had remarkable success. A recent newspaper article applauded the gardaí. Unfortunately, the Garda has been a much maligned organisation recently but under the surface, so to speak, its members are doing remarkably good work. I would like this programme to be rolled out nationally, starting with it being piloted in each county. It would be an excellent initiative in my county of Clare, for example, that would empower what is already a fantastic Garda force in County Clare by giving it the task of reconnecting in a direct way with the communities. It would work very well if it was formalised, particularly in cities such as Limerick, Cork, Galway and others. Taking a professional approach that sees the programme being part of policing policy would enhance community policing and give the general public a renewed sense of pride, engagement and opportunity in that they would believe the gardaí know them. We often hear it said, rightly or wrongly, that people no longer know the gardaí in their communities. With resources that have been cut to the bone the members of the force have done their best but a programme such as this one, which is well resourced and funded, could be a significant step forward in terms of partnership between An Garda Síochána and our communities.