Written answers

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Anti-Social Behaviour

Photo of John LyonsJohn Lyons (Dublin North West, Labour)
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11. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number, geographic distribution and use of joint policing committees in tackling anti-social behaviour; if additional resources have been provided to the Garda, particularly for community policing in tackling anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19069/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The 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. 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.

JPCs are a partnership process involving An Garda Síochána and the elected national and local representatives for the area, with the participation of the community and voluntary sector and local authority officials. The essential role of the Committees is to advise and make recommendations to local Garda management and to the local authority in relation to relevant local issues. While anti-social behaviour is certainly addressed by JPCs, I would like to clarify that JPCs are not an additional administrative or operational entity and that the implementation of policing strategy in an area remains a matter for the Gardaí. Likewise, JPCs do not supplant the proper role of local authorities in carrying out their functions. However, JPCs do have an important role in supporting collaborative actions between local stakeholders and this promotes a more efficient and co-ordinated approach to addressing policing and crime prevention issues in the area in question.

In so far as the resources for community policing are concerned, as the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the deployment of Garda resources. I can assure him, however, that Garda management keep that deployment under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources. Each Garda District and Divisional Officer also configures their policing response to local conditions to ensure that an appropriate policing service is continuously delivered to the local area and there is extensive engagement with the community on issues of concern as and where they arise.

I should also note that, as the Deputy may be aware, I initiated the review of the operation of Joint Policing Committees in the context of the commitment in the Programme for Government to build on existing community policing partnerships. My Department, together with the Garda authorities and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has examined the feedback obtained during the review process, as well as related issues arising from the broader process of local government reform. I can advise the Deputy that recommendations concerning revisions to the JPC guidelines are at an advanced stage of preparation.

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