Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if funding has been ring-fenced to facilitate the creation of the promised joint policing committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32785/08]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if additional funding will be made available to ensure the effective operation of the joint policing committees in view of the fact that they are increasing in number from 29 to 114. [32493/08]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to commit funding to new initiatives by county councils to combat anti-social behaviour; the funding involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32814/08]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the primary steps taken by the joint policing committees established under a pilot scheme to combat crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32786/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 44, 76 and 80 together.

On 24 September I launched, with my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the roll out of the Committees from the initial pilot phase in 29 local authority areas to all 114 local authority areas. I strongly believe that the Committees meet an identified need and have great potential to contribute to preventing and tackling crime in their areas. An Garda Síochána and the relevant local authorities will now commence establishing the Committees in accordance with new Guidelines in local authority areas where there are not yet Committees. The necessary steps will take a certain amount of time, since there will be a process to select the Committee members from the local authority, the Oireachtas and the community and voluntary sector.

In accordance with the Guidelines, some funding to support the work of the Committees may be available from my Department and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, in the context of the budgetary situation and the Estimates provisions. In providing any support, priority would be given to the training and development of Committee members. However, it is envisaged that by and large each agency involved will meet their expenses from within their own budgets.

The Committees established in the pilot phase have generally focused on particular problems arising in their areas, such as anti-social behaviour, including alcohol-related behaviour, and attacks on persons and property. They have discussed the response of An Garda Síochána and the local authority to these problems and what further steps might be taken to address these problems. Committees have also arranged and hosted public meetings on matters concerning the policing of the local authority's area.