Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 32: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to improve community policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12838/07]

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

Community policing is a central feature of the policing policy of An Garda Síochána. Community Policing Units are established throughout the country, and members are encouraged to engage with the local communities where they are working. Current policing policy is predicated on the prevention of public order offences; the prevention of crime including crimes of violence against persons and property; and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. This strategy is, and will continue to be, central to the delivery of a quality policing service. In addition to the dedicated Community Policing Units, all Gardaí have a responsibility to respond to community policing issues as they arise. I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the number of personnel engaged in dedicated community policing on 29 March, 2007 was 521 (all ranks).

The Garda Siochana Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area, to provide a forum where a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. Twenty two joint policing committees are being established by local authorities and the Garda Commissioner in a pilot phase, and I intend that following a time-limited and focused evaluation they will be established in all local authority areas by the end of 2007.

The Garda Síochána rely on the ongoing and active support of public to enable them to be at their most effective in their functions. The joint policing committees have a central role in achieving this by mobilising the resources of the local authority, the community and individual residents.

The Garda Síochána support and foster a number of crime prevention measures which have direct value for residents of local communities. The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme which was established in 1985 by the Garda Síochána 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 Gardai to assist schemes. A strategic review of the Scheme by An Garda Síochana is currently nearing completion.

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 An Garda Síochána in 1985. It is a national movement with a network comprising of approximately 1,250 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, with an awareness of social inclusion. My Department has for some time funded the work of Development Officers working to expand and strengthen Community Alert.

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.

I recently determined priorities for the Garda Siochana for 2007 under section 20 of the Garda Siochana Act 2005. These priorities include:

an increase in public confidence in law enforcement through significantly increased high visibility policing in the community;

monitoring and improving response times to emergency calls while ensuring that persons reporting any crime are dealt with sympathetically and efficiently;

using the civilianisation process and the outsourcing of appropriate services to increase the number of Gardai on operational duties; and

taking effective steps to protect vulnerable people living in isolated areas.

I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,178 following the attestation of 273 new members on 14 March, 2007. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) on 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,476 (or over 23%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The combined strength (all ranks), of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, on 14 March, 2007 was 14,258. Furthermore, on 19 December, 2006, as part of a package of anti-crime measures, the Government approved the continuation of the existing Garda recruitment programme to achieve a total Garda strength of 15,000. The accelerated intake of approximately 1,100 new recruits per annum into the Garda College will continue until this target is met. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.4 billion, an 11% increase on 2006 and its highest level ever.

The Garda Reserve will supplement the strength of the Garda Síochána in policing local communities and will be a valuable additional support for them. It will enhance its capacity to respond to emerging policing challenges and will reinforce its links with local communities.