John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community alert groups or neighbourhood watch groups in County Sligo and north Leitrim for the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and to date in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24007/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Neighbourhood Watch scheme was established in 1985 by the Garda authorities as a crime prevention measure. In common with other community based schemes, it enlists the voluntary help of the community in co-operating with the Garda Síochána and is most suitable for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation nationwide with over 400,000 households involved. 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 a network comprising over 1,290 local groups dedicated to improving the quality of life of people in rural communities.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the numbers of Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert schemes in County Sligo and North Leitrim in each of the past five years is set out in the table.