Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of neighbourhood watch schemes in operation; the number in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47034/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention programme which aims to enlist the active co-operation of the community in a neighbourhood by observing and reporting suspicious activities and by so doing reducing the level of criminal behaviour. Since its establishment, the Garda authorities have sought to encourage the active participation of the public in Neighbourhood Watch by encouraging and supporting communities to establish and maintain such initiatives and deploying crime prevention officers and liaison Gardaí to assist schemes. Neighbourhood Watch is supported by and operates under the Neighbourhood Watch Strategy 2007 — 2011, which has helped to strengthen its management and operation.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that presently there are 2,342 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in operation in Ireland, 148 of which are located in Co. Kildare.