Seán Connick (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 203: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will provide funding to joint policing committees. [2662/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Joint Policing Committees are provided for in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. Their purpose is to provide a forum where An Garda Síochána and the local authority — the two organisations which make the most significant contribution to preventing and tackling crime in a specific area — can come together, with the participation of members of the Oireachtas and community and voluntary interests, on matters affecting the area.

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. An Garda Síochána and the relevant local authorities have now commenced 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.

It is envisaged that by and large each agency involved will meet their expenses from within their own budgets. However, the question of providing some financial support from the two Government Departments involved will be kept under view in the context of the overall and evolving budgetary situation.