James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies O'Sullivan and Moynihan for their commitment in supporting An Garda Síochána and highlighting its efforts and needs.

The Garda Commissioner and the local chief superintendent determine the number of gardaí in an area and whether they should be designated as community gardaí but all gardaí have a role in community policing. It is at the heart of what they do. A number of pilot projects have been established around local community safety partnerships and we expect they will be rolled out right across the country over the coming years. They are somewhat similar to the structures under the old RAPID system and the existing local community development committee, LCDC, system. There will be a greater input from the Garda Síochána working with other community groups, including the local authorities, the HSE and Tusla, where needed, so they can all work together to ensure appropriate community policing and supports across all the areas in Ireland.

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