Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of neighbourhood schemes here; and the number in County Kildare. [28771/10]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 252: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of community alert schemes here; the number in County Kildare; and if there are plans to change this scheme. [28770/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.

Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention programme which aims to enlist the active cooperation of the community in a neighbourhood by observing and reporting to An Garda Síochána 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 currently there are 2,340 Neighbourhood Watch Schemes in operation in Ireland, 148 of which are located in County Kildare. The Community Alert programme is a community-based initiative in rural communities, set up in 1985 by Muintir na Tíre in association with the Garda authorities. My Department has provided financial support for the programme for some time. The programme is dedicated in particular to improving the quality of life of vulnerable people in rural communities, especially the elderly, by: crime prevention, neighbourliness and self-reliance, general community safety and well-being, accident prevention, promotion of personal safety, and awareness of social inclusion. The relationship between An Garda Síochána and Muintir na Tíre is formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations.

The programme was given added impetus with the publication of a joint Muintir na Tíre/Garda strategy for the period 2007 to 2011. The strategy was developed following a fundamental review of the programme by representatives of Muintir na Tíre, An Garda Síochána and the Community Alert development officers, which took account of the social and demographic changes that have taken place since 1985. I am informed that there are currently 1,351 Community Alert schemes in operation throughout the country, 51 of which are located in County Kildare.