John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 661: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to ensure that recognition be given to the tireless work of volunteers nationwide by giving the community alert organisation a key role in the proposed new community policing committees, with regard to the Garda Síochána Bill 2004; his views on whether it is nonsense to put a new structure in place when a network is already working successfully albeit operating on a shoestring (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19853/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I assume that the Deputy is referring to the provisions contained in the Garda Síochána Bill, currently before the House, which provide for the establishment of joint policing committees by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner. The function of the committees will be to serve as a forum for consultations, discussions and recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the local authority's administrative area. In particular, the committees will keep under review levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour and the factors underlying them, advise the local authority concerned and the Commissioner, hold public meetings and establish as necessary local policing fora. The Bill also provides for the issuing of guidelines concerning the establishment and maintenance of the committees. These guidelines may include provision for the appointment to the committees of persons representing local community interests. Work has commenced on the drafting of guidelines with a view to enabling early implementation of these provisions of the Bill, when enacted, to proceed.

Community Alert is a community-based crime prevention initiative in rural communities which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It encourages individuals to be aware of suspicious activities and to provide greater care and concern for the elderly in the community. Initiatives such as Community Alert work well because of the straightforward sense of mission they have and because of the local involvement of people who care. They would not work if it were not for the volunteers who give freely of their time and put the effort into making things happen.

My Department contributes annually towards the costs of operating the programme and contributed €150,000 in 2004. My Department's funding provides assistance towards the costs of the programme's national co-ordinator, based at Muintir na Tíre's headquarters in Tipperary town, and three local development co-ordinators, who promote the establishment of new groups and contribute to increasing the effectiveness and level of activity of existing groups. Discussions are under way regarding my Department's funding in 2005 for the programme. Funding for additional local development co-ordinators is also provided by the South Eastern Health Board. As part of the work on drafting the guidelines for the joint policing committees, careful consideration will be given to what role can be played by organisations such as Community Alert.