Written answers
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Department of Justice, Equality and Defence
Garda Recruitment
9:00 pm
Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the announcement that no Garda recruitment will take place for the coming years of 2011 and 2012, if he will consider increasing the Garda Reserve Force substantially to assist with traffic, crowd control and other functions of a less statutory nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16264/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda Authorities that as of 31 May 2011, the latest date for which figures are readily available, the number of attested members of the Garda Reserve was 761 with approximately a further 181 in training. The functions, powers and duties of members of the Garda Reserve are a matter for the Commissioner to determine.
The target strength of the Garda Reserve remains at 10% of the full time Force and I would like to assure the House that the Government are fully committed to the Garda Reserve and recruitment to it is ongoing.
Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the announcement of the Garda recruitment moratorium for 2011 and 2012, if he will consider a media and press promotion of the neighbourhood watch system to promote greater awareness by communities of their responsibility in supporting the gardaà for minor and major crimes and to improve community safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16265/11]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that as the current Strategy and Implementation Plan for Neighbourhood Watch, covering the period 2007 - 2011, is in its final year of operation, it is now being reviewed. Future strategies to develop Neighbourhood Watch, and similar programmes such as Community Alert, as effective crime prevention initiatives will take account of the overall policing environment.
Neighbourhood Watch is currently promoted in a variety of ways, including the Garda National Model of Community Policing, regular community safety campaigns, regional public crime prevention days, local community policing crime prevention initiatives, the Crimecall television programme and in conjunction with national events such as the National Ploughing Championships and the Ideal Homes Exhibition. Depending on policing needs at particular times, each of these promotion methods is developed and utilised to emphasise different aspects of Neighbourhood Watch with the goal of combating crime and promoting crime prevention awareness in the most effective ways.
The assistance of the public is crucial to reducing and preventing crime in our local communities, and An Garda SÃochána has long experience in developing and carrying out cooperative initiatives with the public. Neighbourhood Watch is an important example of such processes.
An Garda SÃochána will continue to deepen the involvement of the public in preventing crime through Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert and to provide assistance in achieving this.
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