Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of community police working in communities here in each county; his plans to expand the number of community police; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14152/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As of 31 March 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 674 members of the Garda Síochána assigned to community policing. This represents 4.84% of the total strength of the Force of 13,900 on that date. These figures are broken down by Division in the following table.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the overall strength of the Force may fluctuate due, for example, to retirements, resignations etc.

While these are the numbers of Gardaí specifically assigned to community policing, it is of course the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues. In that sense, community policing involves far more than a single unit within the Garda Síochána, and 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.

It is of course the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to decide on the prioritisation and allocation of resources within the Force. Against this background, he is currently reviewing arrangements within the Garda Síochána for community policing. I very much welcome this, and I look forward to its outcome and to receiving the Commissioner's proposals for the future development of community policing in Ireland.