Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 6: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community gardaí in each county; his views on expanding the number of community gardaí and expanding the role of community gardaí within the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46253/09]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 40: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he will take to improve rural policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46121/09]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 52: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made to date with regard to the implementation of the new Garda Síochána national model of community policing; the number of gardaí committed to community policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46187/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 6, 40 and 52 together. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of gardaí assigned as dedicated community gardaí in each division, as of the latest date for which figures are available, is as set in the table I am circulating with this answer. The new Garda Síochána national model of community policing was launched earlier this year. One of the objectives of the new model is to re-invigorate and re-structure the community policing function within the Garda Síochána to deliver a consistent national structure to the community policing function, a more co-ordinated and efficient Garda service to the community and the spread of good practices and quality service in community policing on a national basis.

A national community policing office has been established within the Garda community relations section to develop and oversee the implementation programme. The model is being rolled out nationwide in line with an action plan for implementation. Training has already commenced in some districts and it is intended that every district officer throughout the country will take ownership of community policing within his or her area of responsibility. The Garda Síochána national model of community policing report is available on the Garda website www.garda.ie. I attach a list of community police and where they are deployed.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A successful community policing programme means that every person in every estate, town and village in the State would know the community garda. There are not enough community gardaí. I appreciate that the number of community gardaí has increased over the past number of years but I am asking the Minister to make community policing a key priority of Government, to increase the number of community police and to create a new rank of community garda so that gardaí can progress through the system as community gardaí.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are 994 community gardaí specifically designated within the overall complement of 14,600. They work in the community and I do not accept that they are not known in their communities. In my area, community gardaí are well-known to the people they serve. The reality is that every garda should be a community garda. It is important that gardaí are visible and known in the community. This facility is made available as much as possible. Community policing is a priority of the Government. It was a top priority in the police plan that is produced by the Garda Commissioner every year. This allows us to get across to gardaí that they should be visible and available on a daily basis to the community.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I welcome what the Minister said if he is serious about his reply. I welcome the new Garda Commissioner's commitment to a higher profile and significance for genuine community policing. Can the Minister assure the House that, in respect of the inevitable reduction in numbers in 2010, community gardaí will not be the first port of call when reductions are made? Will the belatedly growing infrastructure of community policing be allowed to continue rather than be taken as an easy target for reductions when they happen for reasons of retirement and cutbacks during 2010?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With fewer resources in 2010 than we had in 2009, it will be a difficult year in respect of the overall budget and Garda numbers. I know Deputy Rabbitte will support me when I say that my number one priority is to ensure we have as many gardaí in the force as possible. My priority in the coming year is to keep Garda numbers as high as possible given that they now stand at 14,634. By the end of the year there will be 14,700, an all-time high. That number may reduce over the coming year but I hope that I will get the Deputy's support to ensure that, while there may be funding difficulties in the Department, I can concentrate my funding on keeping up the level of gardaí. Ultimately the question of how many are designated as community gardaí is a matter for the Commissioner. He and I formally launched the new model of community policing in Ballyfermot a few months ago. He is committed to keeping the number of dedicated community gardaí as high as possible.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The notion of a "dedicated" community police force is quite different from the kind of excuses that we have heard in recent years, including from senior policemen, who come out with answers such as "every policeman is a community policeman" and that kind of defensive, meaningless line when they know that is not what is intended by a dedicated community police force.

I did not hear the Minister respond to Deputy Carey's question about whether there ought not be a specified rank and career progression in the service for genuine community policemen.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Under the model every district officer superintendent will take ownership of community policing in his or her district. A community policing team will be established in each district, headed up by a sergeant. Four deployment models were used, depending on the type of location. The models are based on four categories of district, namely a busy city centre, a suburban district, a large provincial town, and a rural one. Clear objectives will be set out such as high visibility in the community, ease of contact by members of the public, enhanced support for crime prevention strategies such as neighbourhood watch, community alert and business watch.

In response to Deputy Carey's point about a force within a force, that is a matter for the Garda Síochána. I have heard Members talk about that but it has not been proposed to me or to my Department. The designation of police is a matter for the Garda Commissioner not for me, nor should it be.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One of the barriers to successful community policing is the frequency with which the gardaí are re-located. That needs to be addressed. One builds a link with a particular garda. I have nothing but praise for my local community garda, Dennis Collins, who covers Clarecastle and Ennis. It is great to be able to mention him here today.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I hope the Commissioner is listening.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If the garda had a longer assignment the community would have greater trust in him and he would have more local knowledge. Would the Minister take that issue up with the Commissioner?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I agree that gardaí should be known in their areas but from another point of view they can sometimes be too well-known and become too embedded in a community and therefore not do their job to the fullest extent.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They might be hanging around, as the Minister said last week at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is for the Commissioner to decide how best to allocate people. It should not be for me or Deputy Carey to determine. The general point can be made to him, and I think he recognises that there is a strong view that gardaí should not operate in the areas they come from or in which they live. To try to facilitate family life they operate in areas contiguous with those in which they reside. This is, however, a matter for the Commissioner to decide.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All sides of the House agree on the importance of the community garda. I agree with Deputy Carey's suggestion that there be a dedicated rank but I welcome the Minister's comment about the type of activity of a community in which the garda is on the beat, in and of the community, engaging with its members.

The Minister said that there are approximately 900 dedicated or practising community gardaí. Has his Department, in conjunction with the Commissioner, set targets? We can improve that number. I would like to see a target of 12% or 12.5% by the end of next year or the following year. Will the Minister and the Commissioner commit to having a target for community gardaí? The feedback from communities is that the presence of community gardaí will foster and enhance the mutual trust and confidence between the gardaí and the public. I welcome the Minister's initiative.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are 994 community gardaí, six shy of 1,000.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is approximately 7%.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is a big enough percentage, but the greater the number dedicated as community gardaí, and in the various areas such as drugs, sexual assault and crime investigation, the fewer there are in other areas. It would be our desire to have more community gardaí but I do not want to tie the hands of Garda management by saying that it must reach a certain quota and thereafter all the other things must be done because that would not be fair. The increase in Garda numbers in recent years has given the Commissioner some headroom for community Garda numbers. I will raise it with him but I would not like to tie his hands.