Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Community Policing.

Noel Treacy

Ceist:

613 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Justice the date on which community policing was introduced; the location/district/areas in this country where community policing operates; the number of Garda personnel of all ranks involved in community policing; the number of reviews of community policing which have taken place since its introduction; the dates of each review; the number of reports produced by Ministers for Justice; if community policing is currently under review; if so, the date on which this review commenced; when it will be concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15601/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The scheme of rural community policing was introduced in June 1982 on a pilot basis in the districts of Thomastown, County Kilkenny and Claremorris, County Mayo.

In 1989, following a review of the scheme by Garda management and officials of my Department, it was recommended that the initiative be extended to a further 12 locations and in September 1991 the scheme was extended to the following Districts:

Baltinglass	Newcastlewest
Killaloe	Longford
Midleton	Ballinasloe
Kanturk	Nenagh
Loughrea	Enniscorthy
Tralee	Birr.

The Garda Commissioner, following a review in June 1994, submitted a report to my Department outling proposals for a further extension of the scheme. These proposals are still the subject of discussions between my Department and the Garda authorities. While I expect these discussions to be concluded in the near future, it is, of course, vital that all aspects of such proposals be carefully examined and reviewed in the context of current demands being placed on the Garda Síochána. I am particularly anxious to ensure that there will be sufficient consultation with local interest groups before any decision is made to extend the scheme.

No ministerial reports on the scheme of rural community policing have been produced.

There are currently 535 members of the force deployed on rural community policing duties throughout the country.