David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the five local authority areas where the pilot community warden scheme was established; if he will extend the scheme to all other local authorities; the action local authorities need to take to introduce the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9911/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the role and responsibilities of community wardens; the budget available to local authorities from his Department to operate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9912/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together.

The community warden scheme was established on a pilot basis in Wexford, Galway and Leitrim county councils, Galway city council and Naas town council in 2002. The scheme was subsequently placed on a permanent footing. As indicated in the reply to Question No. 187 of 27 February 2008, it is now open to local authorities to introduce community wardens having regard to local circumstances. While funding to a total of €9.49 million was provided by my Department to support the pilot programme, the financing of a community warden service is now a matter for individual local authorities, including those who took part in the pilot programme.

The duties of community wardens fall under three main headings, namely:

The enforcement of a range of local authority functions, including certain traffic offences, litter offences and casual trading;

The monitoring of housing estates, tourist attractions and public amenities and the reporting of breaches of environmental or planning legislation; and

Community liaison.