Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amendment he will make to the draft guidelines for the operation of joint policing committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34588/07]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of money that will be made available to JPCs in view of the absence of a specific provision for joint policing committees from budget 2008; and if the amount will increase significantly in 2007 in view of his stated intention to increase the number of JPCs from 29 to 114. [34623/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 90 together. The 29 Joint Policing Committees currently established in a pilot phase operate under guidelines issued by my predecessor as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on 23 May, 2007, following consultation with the Ministers for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

I believe that the Committees established have made good progress to date in carrying out their functions. I propose to roll out the Committees to all 114 local authorities in the State as early as possible in 2008. In order to enable this to happen, it is necessary to consider the current guidelines in the light of the experience of the Committees already established and make any changes necessary.

To assist with this process, my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and I hosted a consultation seminar on 29 November with participants in the pilot Committees to discuss their views on the operation of the Committees to date. The outcomes of the seminar are currently being considered with a view to preparing changes to the guidelines. This process is currently ongoing. Provision of €1.010 million is being made in the Garda Síochána Vote in 2008 for the operation of the Committees. I understand that provision is also being made by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.