Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
283. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the implementation of community policing teams as outlined in the An Garda Síochána modernisation and renewal programme 2016 to 2021; the estimated full year cost of such teams; the number and location of such teams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/17]
View answerLast July, the Government approved a Five Year Reform and High Level Workforce Plan for An Garda Síochána which combines the Government’s response to the Garda Inspectorate report 'Changing Policing in Ireland' and the commitments in the Programme for a Partnership Government aimed at increasing the visibility, effectiveness and responsiveness of An Garda Síochána. The Government agreed that the Garda Commissioner's Modernisation and Renewal Programme (MRP) 2016-2021 would be the vehicle for implementation of the Inspectorate recommendations aimed at the Garda organisation. In support of this plan, Budget 2017 provided funding to continue to expand the number of Gardaí towards 15,000, to double the Reserve to 2,000 and to double the number of civilians to 4,000 by 2021. In addition, the plan is supported by substantial capital investment of some €310 million in critical ICT infrastructure, the fleet and other Garda facilities.
Robust independent oversight is essential to ensuring that the pursuit of the reform programme is relentless over the next 5 years. To ensure that this is case, the 240 agreed recommendations of 'Changing Policing in Ireland' have been referred to the Policing Authority to monitor and assess their implementation by An Garda Síochána and to report progress to me on a quarterly basis. The first two progress reports from the Authority, received in January and April, have been published on my Department's website.
It is the most ambitious programme of reform ever embarked on by the organisation and due to the scale of the programme, a phased planning approach is essential. In this regard the Commissioner has advised that some initiatives will be implemented in the short to medium term, while others will require a number of years to implement fully.
Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána. It provides a means of recognising that every community – both urban and rural – has its own concerns and expectations. In this regard I welcome the strong emphasis placed by the MRP on further developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, gaining public confidence and trust and providing a greater sense of security. Under this "Community Policing Framework" initiative it is envisaged that Community Policing teams comprising of Gardaí from a range of areas will be established. These teams will work with local communities to prevent and detect crime in their locality. In addition, each Community Team will be supported by a Community Safety Forum. The Community Safety Fora which will comprise of local Gardaí, members of the public and community groups will promote crime prevention strategies. This clear and consistent approach to community policing will ensure a better service and enhanced community safety.
In terms of progress on this important initiative I am informed by the Commissioner that a draft Community Policing Strategy which outlines the manner in which CPTs and Community Safety Fora will be established has been completed and is subject to internal review before being approved by the Executive for implementation.
