Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 201: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community alert schemes in Kildare rural areas and urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22964/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Community Alert programme 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 is a national movement with its network comprising approximately 1,285 local Community Alert groups of which there are 53 schemes in Kildare 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 awareness of social inclusion.

The Neighbourhood Watch scheme was established in 1985 as a crime prevention measure. In common with other community based schemes, it enlists the voluntary help of the community in co-operation with the Garda Síochána and is most suitable for urban areas. There are some 2,600 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation nation-wide with 151 schemes in Kildare urban areas. The scheme is currently administered by the Garda Síochána Community Relations Section. 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 Community Alert and the Garda Síochána through Neighbourhood Watch.