asked the Minister for Justice if, in an effort to prevent crime he will outline the steps he proposes to take to encourage the expansion of community alert schemes throughout rural areas.
Written Answers. - Community Alert Programme.
98.
The community alert programme was devised by Muintir na Tíre in response to a series of attacks in 1985 against elderly people living in rural areas. It involves local communities working in close liaison with the Garda Síochána to identify elderly people who may be living in vulnerable situations. Members of communities participating in the scheme visit such people and report any suspicious events in their area to the Garda. There are 166 such schemes in operation throughout the country.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that it has recently been decided that the promotion of Community Alert should become a specific responsibility of the Community Relations Section of the Garda. A working party has been established comprising officials from Muintir na Tíre and selected community relations and crime prevention officers to examine possible ways of expanding and improving the Community Alert programme.
The Garda authorities and Muintir na Tíre have my full support in their efforts to expand the programme and I am confident that their efforts will meet with a positive response from the entire community. Community involvement is of course a vital element in the continued success and expansion of Community Alert.