Martin Mansergh (Tipperary South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I can confirm she has raised with me various matters relating to Carndonagh in the recent past.

The Garda Reserve is a part-time volunteer force that was established in August 2006. In particular, the reserve was established to enhance the links between the Garda Síochána and local communities through the deployment of locally recruited volunteers who operate in support of full-time gardaí. To date, 493 members have been recruited to the reserve. There are currently 327 attested reserve gardaí with a further 111 at various stages of training. A total of 23 attested members of the Garda Reserve have gone on to become full-time members of the Garda Síochána. A total of eight trainee garda reserves have also gone on to join the full-time force.

I am satisfied that significant progress has been made in terms of the recruitment and appointment of members of the Garda Reserve. In particular, it must be borne in mind that recruits to the reserve are required to undergo an extensive programme of training which includes periods of assignment to Garda stations. The Government is strongly committed to the development of the reserve. Recruitment to the reserve is continuing and regular promotion campaigns to attract reserve members are being undertaken.

It is clear that the reserve has provided and will continue to provide a valuable contribution to the Garda Síochána and to the many communities where it is operating. In particular, I express my appreciation to the members of the reserve who serve on a voluntary basis and give of their time very generously.

The establishment of the community alert programme by Muintir na Tíre in 1985 was an important milestone in the life of rural communities in this country. I recently attended a celebration of the work of Muintir na Tíre, which was founded in Tipperary 70 years ago by Canon John Hayes, who was a curate in Tipperary and then the parish priest in Bansha. Muintir na Tíre has done great work in terms of helping communities to help themselves.

The community alert programme successfully harnessed the community spirit and neighbourliness which has traditionally been a cornerstone of Irish life. The success of the programme lies in the fact that it is community driven and is flexible in serving the needs of local communities. Issues of local importance are identified by local volunteers and they are addressed collectively in partnership with the Garda Síochána. The programme is one of the most important elements in the fight against crime in rural areas. Throughout the country local residents are being encouraged to establish community alert schemes assisted by local gardaí. I understand that there are now 1,341 community alert schemes nationwide.

I am pleased that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has been in a position to contribute significant amounts over the years towards the annual costs of operating the programme. Since 2004 the Department has provided funding of €845,000. The Department's funding covers the costs associated with running the programme, which include salaries, travel and subsistence costs of the regional co-ordinators, staff training and administration. It is money well spent. Resource material, including booklets, stickers and survey and related material, is provided by the Garda Síochána.

Engagement with the rural community and rural policing are priorities of the Garda Síochána. Senior Garda management specifically monitors resources and policing initiatives to ensure that the service being provided is continuously improving. Crime prevention officers are also available to offer security advice to residential and business groups and they regularly provide such advice through local media outlets, newspaper and radio broadcasts. I have attended such sessions and I can confirm that they can be very useful and informative.

On 26 January this year, the Garda Commissioner and the Minister launched a new Garda national model of community policing. The model builds on the success of existing good community policing practice and aims to foster collaborative partnerships between the Garda Síochána and members of the community. A comprehensive model of community policing will ensure that enforcement will be employed not only to reduce crime but also to reduce the fear of crime and ensure a better quality of community life for all. To demonstrate the importance attached to this initiative, the Garda Commissioner has nominated a deputy commissioner to act as the organisation's community policing champion to ensure that the culture and ethos of community policing is led from a very high level in the organisation.

Another very important partnership between the Garda Síochána and the local community is the neighbourhood watch programme. It was established in 1985 as a crime prevention and community safety programme for urban areas. It promotes community participation and good citizenship at a time when sections of our community are in danger of becoming marginalised. Its importance lies in reducing opportunities for crime by improving personal and home security and fostering a community spirit where neighbours look out for each other. The programme is administered by the Garda Síochána through the Garda community relations division and the associated costs are funded through the Garda Vote. In addition, resource materials are provided by the Garda Síochána.