Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received from the Garda Commissioner the report of the working group developing proposals for a comprehensive model of rural and urban community policing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27038/08]

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform the number of Community Gardai assigned in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter [27158/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 122 together.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the number of Gardaí assigned to Community policing in each Garda Division on 31 May 2008, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table hereunder:

It is of course the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in addressing community policing issues as and when the need arises. 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.

The report of the working group developing proposals for a comprehensive model of rural and urban community policing is now at the final draft stage and will be submitted to the Commissioner for approval shortly. I look forward to receiving a copy of the final Report from the Commissioner in the near future.

The Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day, personnel strengths of individual stations may fluctuate due, for example, to promotions, retirements and transfers.

It is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner to allocate personnel throughout the Force taking everything into account. The situation will be kept under review and when additional personnel next become available the allocation of Community Gardaí will be fully considered by the Commissioner within the overall context of the needs of Garda stations throughout the country.