Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 1

Written Answers - Police Forum.

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

It is understood from the Garda authorities that contacts, in the north and south inner city areas of Dublin, between the gardaí and the community have given rise to the term police forum.

Following an examination of this type of approach, the Commissioner has, through the Garda community relations section, established a small group within the Dublin region to examine the format for such a forum. The group consists of Garda representatives at national, regional and local level, along with community representatives from the Dublin inner city areas.

Among the issues being addressed by the group are the objectives of a police forum; the geographic area to be covered by a police forum; criteria for selecting community representatives; degree of Garda representation at various meetings; frequency and location of meetings; chairmanship of police forum; and selection and training of forum members.

Once this group has completed their deliberations, their findings will be further examined and the initiative progressed in the most effective and efficient manner, if this is appropriate.

There are a number of other initiatives in place throughout the country, where the community plays an active role with the Garda in policing their local areas, for example, the Community Alert and Neighbourhood Watch Schemes. The Department has recently carried out an evaluation of these community based initiatives. The research was carried out by an independent social and economic research consultancy firm in association with the Garda research unit. This report, and another report on the structures of Neighbourhood Watch, will shortly be submitted to the Department by the Garda Commissioner.

The recently launched integrated services project is an example of where the Garda, the community, voluntary organisations and statutory agencies come together to address local issues. This project is under way in four designated areas – Dublin's north east inner city, the canal communities, Jobstown in Tallaght and Togher in Cork. The aim of this project is to develop a more focused and co-ordinated response by the statutory agencies to the needs of the communities. The ultimate objective is to develop from this a model of best practice from a diversity of experience which can be replicated in other areas of disadvantage.

The Deputy will be aware that the process of maintaining and developing good community relations is a high priority with the Garda who are committed to working closely with the local communities. I consider that one of the most important developments in recent years has been the obvious improvement in relations between the Garda Síochána and disadvantaged urban communities. Both the communities and the Garda are to be commended for their work in this area.