Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
215 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has completed its review of the recommendations on community policing made by the Garda SMI implementation steering group; if not, when this process will be completed; if so, the action he has decided with respect to implementation of the recommendations; if he has published or will publish the recommendations; and if not, the reason therefore. [23125/04]
View answerThe Garda SMI implementation steering group looked in detail at a range of areas within the Garda Síochána, including community policing and its report, which I have laid before Dáil Éireann and which is available on my Department's website, puts forward recommendations for broad based reform of the structure, management and service delivery of the organisation. I am having the report examined in my Department and will give careful consideration to all of the steering group's recommendations. I intend to bring appropriate proposals to Government in the near future.
216 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on the findings of the independent evaluations of the community policing fora; the recommendations he has adopted in each case; and if he has published or will publish the reports. [23126/04]
View answerI gather that the community policing fora to which the Deputy refers is the community — policing forum project in the Garda "A" district. As the Deputy is aware, the community policing forum in Dublin's "A" Garda district — Kevin St. — Kilmainham — was established by the commissioner in 2000 on a pilot basis following upon extensive consultations between the Garda and community interests. The purpose was to improve relations and communications between local communities and the Garda Síochána. The forum was sub-divided into three fora encompassing the following areas: Bluebell, Inchicore and Islandbridge; Dolphin's Barn, Rialto and Kilmainham; and Christchurch, the Coombe, Portobello — the south west inner city network.
It is my understanding that the independent evaluations to which the Deputy refers is a review of the operation of this forum conducted by the Crew Network dated December 2001. One of the main recommendations of that review was for a State funded co-ordinator to assist in the work of the forum. Co-ordinators are provided in certain cases for fora through funding under the national drug strategy. In a reply to Deputy Costello's question on 9 December 2003, I described in detail the operation of such fora, the mechanisms for funding and my plans for the future in this regard. In my reply to Deputy Mitchell's question on this topic on 9 December 2003, I outlined the reasons as to why it is not possible or appropriate for the Garda Síochána to fund the requested co-ordinator.
In May of this year, a delegation on behalf of the Rialto community policing forum, led by Deputy Ardagh and including the Deputy met with me to discuss provision of funding for the forum. I indicated at the meeting that I am sympathetic towards the case and very supportive of the good work of the forum. At my invitation, the forum subsequently submitted a written proposal in this regard. Having considered the matter further in conjunction with the commissioner, I still agree that such funding is not appropriate for the Garda Vote. However, I have recently written to my colleague, the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, to consider the matter both in the particular situation of the "A" district but also in the wider context of co-operation between gardaí and local authorities at community level. I have also written to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Michael Conaghan, requesting him to consider how Dublin City Council might assist in this matter.
The growth of community policing fora in general needs to be delivered in the context of the development of an appropriate policy framework for what are relatively new partnership structures involving the Garda, local authorities and local communities. Such a framework will ensure that such fora can be appropriately developed in a consistent and properly planned manner rather than the ad hoc way in which they have tended to emerge in a number of different contexts to date.
Work is well under way in regard to the development of such a policy framework which will facilitate progress in this area. The Garda Síochána Bill 2004 represents the most significant legislative reform of Garda structures since the foundation of the State. Included in its draft provisions are mechanisms for enhanced co-operation between the Garda and local authorities through the establishment, on a statutory basis, of policing committees. It is intended that such committees will act as fora where matters relating to all aspects of policing can be discussed and where strategies and recommendations for dealing with issues arising locally can be decided. It is intended that these policing committees will facilitate the establishment of local policing fora to address specific issues in local areas.
