Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of gardaí assigned to community policing; if this represents less than 4% of the overall strength of the force; if he has plans to increase the number of community gardaí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As at 30th September 2007, the latest date for which Community Gardaí figures are readily available, the personnel strength of An Garda Síochána was 13,531 and the number of Gardaí attached to Community Policing was 598. This represents a percentage of 4.42% of the total strength of the Force. It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. Of course, Community Policing involves more than a single unit within An Garda Síochána and all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues. Community Policing is a central feature of current policing policy and members of Community Policing Units are encouraged to engage with the local communities where they are assigned.

I agree with the view of the Garda Inspectorate, expressed in its most recent report, that community policing is a fundamental policing philosophy and that there is a strong foundation for it in Ireland. I am informed by the Commissioner that a working group has developed proposals for a comprehensive model of rural and urban Community Policing. The group has completed its report, "The Report of the Working Group on the National Model of Community Policing" and it is currently being considered by the Garda Commissioner. I await the final views of the Commissioner with interest.