Vol. 446 No. 3
166 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice when the Garda Commissioner relinquished the power to direct a Garda to live in a particular area; and the implications of this for the lack of information by gardaí about crime in certain rural areas in view of the fact that no gardaí are living in those areas. [180/94]
There never were regulations that required members of An Garda Síochána to reside in a specific location except, for example, where members were allocated to official accommodation, i.e. married quarters or agency houses. This remains the position but the availability of official accommodation was significantly reduced in the late 1980's.
The community policing scheme for rural areas was extended to 12 Garda Districts in September 1991 following the operation of a pilot scheme in two districts in the early 1980s. The scheme provides for guaranteed opening times of Garda stations in these districts and through the pooling of resources a better police service is provided to each area and more time is spent by gardaí out and about in the local community. The latest proposals for the extension of the scheme are under examination in my Department at present.
I should also say that crime prevention programmes such as "Community Alert" have been in operation in many rural areas for several years. These schemes provide a means for persons living in rural areas to play an active part in crime prevention. They also provide a channel of close communication between gardaí engaged on crime prevention duty and the community.
The Garda authorities have informed me that there is no evidence of any diminution in the quantity or quality of information being received in recent times concerning crime in rural areas.
