asked the Minister for Justice when he expects the evaluation of the neighbourhood watch pilot programme to be completed; and when he expects it will be possible to implement this scheme on a nationwide basis.
Written Answers. - Neighbourhood Watch Pilot Scheme.
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Limerick East): I am informed by the Garda authorities that the neighbourhood watch pilot schemes are being reviewed on an on-going basis and that the preliminary indications are that the scheme has a useful role to play in community policing. The Garda view, however, is that the extension of neighbourhood watch must be a gradual process as each Garda district can only successfuly cope with the introduction of one or two schemes at a time.
I am informed that arrangements are now being made to provide training for all divisional and district officers in the methods of establishing and managing neighbourhood watch schemes initially in the Dublin metropolitan area and subsequently in the rest of the force and, when this has been done, it is intended to extend the scheme as widely as possible. I should mention, however, that since the scheme depends on the voluntary participation of community groups and organisations, progress in extending it will ultimately be determined by the willingness of communities to participate.