Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 650: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he is taking to improve rural policing; the policy measures he intends to introduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1291/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Programme for National Recovery calls for a higher priority to be attached to community policing. Community policing is at the heart of policing in Ireland. This point has been consistently emphasised by the Garda Commissioner and endorsed by the Garda Síochána Inspectorate. In the Commissioner's Annual Policing Plan for 2012, he has re-iterated his commitment to "...maintaining and deepening the long established relationship which An Garda Síochana has with all members of the Community..". That plan, which I lodged with both Houses of the Oireachtas on 5th December 2011, contains two specific commitments entitled "Working with Communities" and "Ensuring a Peaceful Community" which focus on the provision of a Community Policing service.

This National Model of Community Policing, which has now been rolled out to all Garda Districts nationwide, aims at building upon and enhancing good community policing practice. There will be a community policing team in each district, headed up by a sergeant. Clear objectives will be set, such as high visibility in the community, ease of contact by members of the public, and enhanced support for crime prevention strategies such as neighbourhood watch, community alert and business watch.

The model recognises the need for dedicated community police officers and, on the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 1,132 such Gardaí. It is also worth emphasising, as the model does, that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing.

This enhanced community policing service will be monitored closely by the Commissioner and his senior management team, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure that the best possible service is provided to the public. The Commissioner will have my full support in this development of community policing, and I will take a keen interest in its progression.