Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Operations

Photo of Niall CollinsNiall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

637. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of small area policing projects in operation; the total spend per project; the future plans for the projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29321/14]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution 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.

I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Small Areas Policing Programme, being developed within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, is a Community Policing Areas Project. The Dublin Metropolitan Region will be divided into a series of Community Policing Areas (CPA's) with a view to allocating responsibility for a specific geographical area to a team of nominated Community Gardaí. These Community Policing Areas are in line with the CSO Small Area Populations (SAP’s), Electoral Areas (EA’s) and Garda District and Sub-District boundaries. This particular project is in its infancy and considerable work is required before it can be rolled-out operationally. This model is being developed specifically within the Dublin Metropolitan Region, and in particular in the North Inner City, to learn from the process.

There are no intrinsic costs associated with this project, other than costs associated with normal policing functions. Initial work to be conducted in each Community Police Area (CPA) will include:

- Liaison with the Community

- Provision of a consistent Community Policing Service to that particular area

- Identification of stakeholders and the creation of a stakeholder database within the CPA

- Development of profile of areas requiring attention within the CPA

- Identification of local community groups

- Development of an ethnic and cultural profile of CPA.

Each Community Policing Team will be responsible for all policing within their assigned areas including monitoring crime trends.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.