Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details as to the actions in the programme for Government regarding anti-social behaviour that have been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43707/14]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details regarding the expansion of community policing partnerships and forums during the lifetime of this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43708/14]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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132. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide details of the enhanced role that community policing is now playing, as promised by Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43709/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 to 132, inclusive, together.

An Garda Síochána continue to implement a range of strategies based on existing legislation and enhancing partnerships with local communities.

A range of strong legislative provisions are available to an An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 which provide for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and Part 13 of the Act which provide for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.

The National Model of Community Policing is directed and supported each year by the Garda Síochána Annual Policing and the 2014 Plan underlines the importance of community based policing. An Garda Síochána continue to tackle public disorder and anti-social behaviour by working with communities and business groups, including the hospitality industry, to reduce this type of behaviour and enhance community safety. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.

Particular developments in recent years include, the national 'Garda Supporting Safer Communities Campaign' which reaffirms the community policing ethos through the hosting of various local activities and as part of which Gardaí give important Crime Prevention and Road Safety Advice. In addition new Garda Community Crime Prevention Guidelines, which build on the work of existing partnership programmes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, were published in January 2013. The guidelines give information and advice to help establish new community "watch" groups and also to revitalise existing groups where necessary.

Furthermore, a new Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was launched in September 2013, was piloted initially in a number of locations and developed in cooperation with Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch, the Irish Farmers Association and related stakeholders. It provides a further mechanism for Gardaí to provide crime prevention information to community contacts who in turn forward the information to all members of a community groups. During the first year of the Text Alert system over 600,000 texts have been sent, alerting individuals and communities across Ireland to potential criminal activity in their local area. There are over 450 Text Alert Groups in towns and villages throughout Ireland with more than 80,000 people signing-up to the scheme.

I am pleased to say that my Department continues to provide funding for the Community Alert programme, administered by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Gardaí, which supports the operation of over 1,300 local groups. An Garda Síochána also supports the operation of approximately 2,500 Neighbourhood Watch groups countrywide.

In August this year, in line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, I published new guidelines for the operation of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) which have an important role in supporting local community policing partnerships. The guidelines were finalised following a wide ranging consultation process and take account of the general reforms in local government structures. The new JPC guidelines emphasise the need for collaborative approaches between all stakeholders to address local issues. They also underline the need for enhanced communication between JPCs, which have a strategic coordinating role, and the full range of local and community based fora which can contribute to the enhancement of community safety and support effective policing responses.