Written answers

Wednesday, 12 April 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Joint Policing Committees

Photo of Jonathan O'BrienJonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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74. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources allocated to joint policing committees during each of the past five years. [18412/17]

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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100. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the resources provided by her Department to local joint policing committees in 2015 and 2016; and the resources being provided in 2017. [18657/17]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 100 together.

It is important to note that the JPCs were established to act as a forum to improve collaboration and engagement rather than a new administrative function with corresponding budgets and other resources. There are already substantial resources deployed to addressing local policing and community safety issues and the JPCs are intended to enhance how these resources are deployed, not to supplement them.

Each agency involved in the Committees is generally expected to meet the expenses arising for itself in establishing and operating the Committees from within its own budget. As the Deputy is aware, the high proportion of resources allocated to the Garda Vote underlines this Government’s commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. Key to achieving this goal is the Government’s decision to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. This of course reflects the commitment in the Programme for Partnership Government. I am pleased that in Estimates 2017, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.

These investments will support all policing activities including community engagement and Garda participation on consultative fora, including Joint Policing Committees.

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