Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016
54. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the importance of community engagement and community policing as major factors in determining confidence in policing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27378/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI strongly support the principle of Community Policing and the development of partnerships between An Garda Síochána and local communities.
The Garda National Model of Community Policing plays a key part in responding to crime and encouraging community engagement by taking into account and responding to local conditions and needs, and all Gardaí have a role to play in Community Policing in carrying out their duties. In addition, the National Community Policing Office captures best practice in community policing initiatives and disseminates these practices through its communication network.
An Garda Síochána's Modernisation and Renewal Programme 2016-2021, published on 9 June 2016, places a strong emphasis on developing and supporting the community policing ethos of the organisation and enhancing the current delivery model so that Gardaí spend more time in the community, including the introduction of multi-skilled Community Policing Teams in every Garda District.
As part of the Community Policing approach Gardaí engage with a wide range of local groups, including informal community groups as well as participating in more formal structures such as Joint Policing Committees. In addition Gardaí support in excess of 3,700 Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert groups established countrywide. Guidelines for the establishment and operation of such partnership initiatives, including Text Alert groups have been published by An Garda Síochána.
The Garda Text Alert Scheme is a particularly successful example of Community Policing in action with over 960 local groups in operation, involving in excess of 164,000 subscribers and with an estimated 3 million text messages sent annually. I am informed that every Garda Division, rural and urban, now offers the Text Alert service.
I was very pleased to secure more than a doubling of the funding available to my Department for initiatives such as Community Alert this year, and I was particularly pleased to announce recently the provision of €100,000 in 2016 for a rebate of costs incurred by local Text Alert Groups. This rebate scheme is available to all Text Alert Groups registered with An Garda Síochána and is being administered by Muintir na Tíre who already support the national and regional operation of the Community Alert programme. I believe it is only right that we recognise the considerable efforts involved in organising local groups and make a contribution to the costs which have, up to now, been borne entirely from voluntary contributions.
The ongoing development of Community Policing and partnerships between communities and their local Gardaí is underpinned by the Government’s commitment to increase Garda numbers to 15,000 through further recruitment into An Garda Síochána. This process will involve the recruitment of some 3,200 new Garda members on a phased basis over the next four years, to ensure that the service is renewed and has the capacity to provide visible, responsive and effective policing to every community throughout the country.
