Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the review of Joint Policing Committees; his plans to expand the functions and powers of these committees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1The functions and powers of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) are set out in the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which provides for a Committee in each local authority area. They provide the framework for a partnership process involving An Garda Síochána and elected members and officials of the local authority, which are the two organisations which make the most significant contribution to preventing crime in an area, with the participation of members of the Oireachtas and of the community and voluntary sector. The Act provides that JPCs operate under guidelines issued by the Minister for Justice and Equality after consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Garda Commissioner has appointed Garda representatives to each of the JPCs in accordance with the guidelines.

Members of the public and community representatives and groups can interact with their JPC by communicating with the Committee directly or by communicating with any member of the Committee, including the appointed Garda representatives. All JPC meetings are as a rule open to the public, and all documents are available. Any person may submit questions in writing in advance of each JPC meeting. Each Committee is also required to hold regular public meetings, at which those attending have the right to make their views known and ask questions in accordance with the guidelines. These committees can also establish fora in areas to bring about greater focus on finding solutions to specific issues thus facilitating greater community interaction and participation with the Gardaí and other committee members. Such fora are being established in the 14 Local Drugs Task Force areas.

The Programme for Government makes a commitment to build on existing community policing partnerships and forums to enhance trust between local communities and their Gardaí. Accordingly, my Department has commenced a review of how the Committees have operated since their establishment, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and the local authorities. The review is taking place in the context of the commitments in the Programme for Government to reform local government, work on which is being led by my colleague the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.

In addition, my Department has been engaged in a major consultative exercise leading to the production of a White Paper on crime. One of the issues addressed in this exercise has been the role of the JPCs. The White Paper will set out a policy framework for future strategies to combat and prevent crime. The intention is that this process will lead ultimately to a national anti-crime strategy, in which the JPCs will have a role to play.