John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way in which his Department promotes the national community development organisation active in rural Ireland, for example, community alert through Muintir na Tíre and the Garda Síochána available to address community issues; the budget he has in place to call on all community members nationwide to actively support the ethos of community alert in an effort to diffuse the sense of fear being created by media coverage for persons isolated and vulnerable in remote communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The community alert programme is a community based crime prevention initiative in rural communities similar to neighbourhood watch which was set up by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with its network comprising approximately 1,285 local community alert groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities who are vulnerable, in particular the elderly, by: crime prevention; neighbourliness and self reliance; general community safety and well-being; accident prevention; promotion of personal safety; and having an anti-poverty focus and awareness of social inclusion.

I am strongly of the view that community organisations have, through their support and co-operation with the Garda Síochána, an important role to play in crime prevention and the promotion of community safety and I very much support the work in this area being carried out by Muintir na Tíre through the community alert programme. The programme is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda Síochána and this relationship is formalised in a memorandum of understanding between both organisations for the development and operation of the programme.

My Department assists the operation of the programme and has provided €120,000 this year. This funding provides assistance towards the cost of the programme's national co-ordinator, based at Muintir na Tíre's headquarters in Tipperary town, and three local development officers. The community alert development officers are assigned on a regional basis and travel extensively to promote the establishment of new groups and contribute to increasing the effectiveness and level of activity of existing groups. They also liaise with the gardaí and other relevant statutory and voluntary agencies working in the local areas.

Funding for two additional local development officers is provided by the South Eastern Health Board. A national conference on the topic, Enhancing Community Safety and Crime Prevention through Partnerships, was held jointly by Muintir na Tíre and the Garda Síochána on 12 November 2005 in Mullingar, with financial assistance from the Garda Síochána.

The Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime, which I established earlier this year, has agreed in principle to provide funding to Muintir na Tíre for the development of follow-up supports for elderly rural crime victims, through the community alert programme. Discussions are ongoing on this project and an announcement will be made in due course.