Ceist:
15 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress, if any, with regard to his plans to introduce the community warden scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13367/00]
Other Questions. - Community Warden Scheme.
My Department is finalising discussions with the five pilot local authorities, Galway Corporation, Galway, Leitrim and Wexford County Councils and Naas UDC, about the nature and extent of the warden service they might agree to provide on a pilot basis. I have asked the pilot local authorities to put in place local task forces to develop detailed implementation proposals.
Will the functions to be carried out by the community wardens involve their assuming a number of duties normally fulfilled by gardaí in terms of traffic management or by litter wardens in respect of litter management? Will they have more powers than traffic or litter wardens?
The position will vary from local authority to local authority. The pilot authorities were selected on the basis that the scheme would be spread across large and smaller urban areas. Wardens in different areas will have different responsibilities and their duties may include: patrolling public amenities, local authority estates and tourist attractions; providing directions and advice to tourists; patrolling sheltered workshops and school vicinities; assisting neighbourhood watch schemes; maintaining contact with the elderly and vulnerable; reporting criminal matters to the Garda; reporting breaches of technical regulations to local authorities; carrying out traffic congestion duties and dealing with stationary traffic offences; dog control enforcement; air pollution enforcement; litter enforcement; waste management; and enforcement of the Roads Acts.
Wardens will carry out such duties which are appropriate to the local authority area in which they are employed. Task forces are currently drawing up terms of reference in each of the local authority areas. Once it has been in place and operational for a number of years, we will be in a better position to finalise the details of the scheme.
What powers will the wardens possess? What action will they be in a position to take if a law or regulation is infringed?
They will be in a position to enforce any regulations and by-laws that are the responsibility of the local authorities, including those relating to litter, road traffic management, beaches, parks, amenities etc. In addition, they will be able to report breaches of regulations relating to planning matters but such breaches may require more technical evaluation by planning officers. Basically, the wardens will be the eyes and ears of local authorities in the community and they will serve as a point of contact between the authorities and citizens.
I emphasise the role they will play in liaising with elderly people in isolated areas. A particular need for this was identified in County Leitrim and it will form part of the wardens' duties.
Does the Minister envisage this process will lead to the creation of a completely new tier of responsibilities?
Yes. Once the pilot schemes have concluded and have proven to be successful, the wardens will become a corps in the local authority system and will carry out the duties to which I referred. They will be subsuming duties which are carried out by a range of people at present.
That concludes Question Time.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.