Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 May 2014
316. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way joint policing committees will fit into the new municipal district structures in local government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20243/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I initiated a review of the operation of Joint Policing Committees in the context of the commitment in the Programme for Government to build on existing community policing partnerships. My Department, together with the Garda authorities and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government has examined the feedback obtained during the review process, as well as related issues arising from the broader process of local government reform. In this context, the Deputy will be aware that as part of the process of local government reform the existing town councils will be replaced as part of a new model of governance, and it follows that this will have implications for the number of JPCs in the future.
Under the terms of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, JPCs operate in each local authority area. Therefore, with the reduction in local authority areas as a result of local government reform JPCs will remain in city and county areas only. I should point out that a feature of the feedback received during the recent review of JPCs was that the number of committees needed to be rationalised to ensure that they maintained a proper focus on strategic policing issues.
As part of the present JPC review process and in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Garda Commissioner, I will take account of all relevant developments in local government structures with a view to ensuring that the structures which support local policing are as effective as possible. I can advise the Deputy that recommendations concerning revisions to the JPC guidelines are at an advanced stage of preparation.
