I am informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the control and management of community policing units is the responsibility of local Garda management who keep their activity, productiveness and deployment under continual review. The number of Garda personnel deployed on community policing within the Dublin metropolitan region is six inspectors, 31 sergeants and 260 gardaí. The annual salary related cost of providing this service, excluding overtime and allowances, in the DMR amounts to €10.5 million approximately.
Community policing was reviewed under the strategic management initiative programme of modernisation. The Garda SMI implementation steering group has finalised its report which I have received. I am having the report examined in my Department and will give careful consideration to all of the steering group's recommendations.