James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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473. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of funding and supports provided to groups setting up community alert schemes and neighbourhood watch in counties Longford and Westmeath for years 2011, 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26931/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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For many years my Department has provided funding for the Community Alert programme which is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda authorities, and supports the operation of over 1,300 local groups. My Department does not provide direct funding to local groups, but funding is provided in relation to the employment and associated costs of a National Coordinator and Development Officers, as the long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to my Department to support effective community crime prevention actions. I am currently providing the maximum possible funding to Community Alert that is open to me, having regard to the overall restrictions on my Department's resources and other expenditure needs. I understand that funding for Community Alert is also received from the HSE.

In relation to Neighbourhood Watch groups, while certain costs related to their operations are funded from the Garda Vote as approved by local Garda management, there is not a specific financial allocation for this purpose. With respect to the general supports which are available for community crime prevention groups, An Garda Síochána have published new Community Crime Prevention Guidelines to facilitate the establishment of new local groups and also to help revitalise existing groups where necessary.

Further information, advice and support is available locally from community Gardaí. The long-standing partnership between An Garda Síochána and Muintir na Tire in supporting Community Alert was underlined by the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations in January last year. I should also advise the Deputy that local Garda management continue to engage with communities through the Joint Policing Committees and other fora to advise them of the relevant local policing arrangements, with a view to ensuring that the best possible policing service is provided.