Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the costs involved in establishing a joint policing committee; the person to whom the costs are borne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12489/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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 last 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 are now 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.

Each agency involved is generally expected to meet the expenses arising for itself in establishing and operating the Committees from within its own budget.