Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Community Warden Service.

Derek McDowell

Question:

30 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the powers, functions and duties, if any, he will apply to the new community warden service to be recruited by local authorities; the degree of discretion and control to be vested in the authorities in the management of the service; the costs associated with the provision of the service; the manner in which it will be funded by the authorities; whether legislation will be required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17074/97]

Emmet Stagg

Question:

74 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his proposed community warden service is that already provided for in the recommendations of the final report of the Dublin Transport Initiative and adopted by the Dublin Transport Office and a previous administration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17081/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 74 together.

In the interests of efficiency and effectiveness the Minister intends to pursue a policy where the Gardaí could shed functions which they have traditionally carried out, but which do not necessarily have to be discharged by police officers. This will assist them to focus on the core policing duties for which they have been specially trained. In this regard, the Minister will be reviewing the proposals contained in the reports of the interdepartmental group on Garda deployment in the DMA and the steering group on Garda efficiency and effectiveness.

I should, of course, emphasise that what the Minister has in mind in all of this is the assignment to others of non-police functions only. The Minister will be taking particular care and will listen to expert advice to ensure that what can properly be regarded as police functions remain with the Garda Síochána who have the training and the tradition to discharge these functions in the way the public expects them to be discharged.

The plans to transfer responsibility from the Garda in Dublin for the management of the traffic warden, on-the-spot fines and tow-away services to Dublin Corporation are an entirely separate matter.