Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason neighbourhood watch brochures are no longer available for distribution within participating estates in north County Dublin; if he will confirm that one of the sponsors has withdrawn his financial support; if he will confirm that to date his Department has failed to come up with necessary funding for the brochures; and if he will arrange to have this matter resolved. [38983/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Neighbourhood Watch was established in 1985 as a crime prevention measure for urban areas. There are approximately 2,600 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in operation throughout the country. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in Neighbourhood Watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such initiatives. An Garda Síochána has been a strategic partner in driving and supporting Neighbourhood Watch through its Community Relations Section and local Garda management and has deployed Crime Prevention Officers and Liaison Gardaí to assist schemes.

The Garda authorities are finalising a high level review of Neighbourhood Watch which involved consultation with all the relevant stakeholders. The new strategy will provide a blueprint for the future development of Neighbourhood Watch.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Garda Community Relations Section arranged and funded the printing of the Neighbourhood Watch brochure which is now out of print. The Garda authorities will produce a new Neighbourhood Watch booklet for distribution when the review has been finalised and in that context the question of funding will be addressed.