Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
52. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice to outline what plans are in place increase the number of community policing gardaí in the Limerick policing area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54637/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraHow much time is left, Acting Chairman?
There is one minute and seven seconds remaining. We will do our best.
I will be very quick. Community policing is at the heart of good policing practices, particularly in urban settings. I cannot emphasise enough that a visible community policing presence can make a huge difference to the lives of our citizens. Will the Minister advise what plans she has to ensure there is a return to a community policing model that puts service to the community at the heart of the Garda ethos?
I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and all gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties. Community policing is also fundamental to the new Garda operating model that is currently being rolled out in all divisions and has been fully commenced in ten. The new model will provide more front-line gardaí, increased Garda visibility and a wider range of policing services for people in their local area. It will divide service delivery within divisions into four functional areas, one of them being community engagement. This will allow for a greater focus on community policing in all divisions. Garda authorities have advised that a member of An Garda Síochána can be deemed to be a community garda where that member is allocated to a community policing team and is responsible and accountable for applying a problem-solving approach to appropriate crime and policing quality-of-life issues in a specified geographic area through partnership and engagement.
An Garda Síochána has launched a new interactive map on the Garda website that allows people to find the local CPT in their area. The map will continue to be developed in line with the continued roll-out of the new Garda operating model. While there are designated CPTs within An Garda Síochána, it is important to note that the number of gardaí assigned to those teams is not an accurate reflection of the number of gardaí carrying out community policing work on a daily basis around the country. Community policing teams strategically manage and lead the development, delivery and evaluation of the Garda community policing framework, and gardaí assigned to those teams are deemed to be community gardaí.
I thank the Minister of State. In the short time remaining, I want to refer to two projects in Limerick, on both of which I commend the Garda. One was an operation around scramblers, which took place on 24 and 25 October, with 46 vehicles seized. I encourage more of that to be done as scramblers have been a nightmare for people in Limerick for the past number of years. The situation had been allowed to get out of hand. I hope the relevant legislation will be robust and that other Garda authorities will do the same as was done in Limerick.
The other project is a Garda operation that will take place across Limerick city. I understand two additional gardaí will walk around the core city centre area targeting aggressive begging and, in particular, thefts in shops. There was a lack of such visibility for many years. I understand that is already having a significant impact on the community. After a difficult year for us all, I want to put on record that the gardaí in Limerick, a lot of whom I know well, are doing the best job they can with the resources they have.
A concern I wish to flag, however, is that at the most recent meeting of the JPC, the chief superintendent confirmed that he is short 30 staff for the Limerick area. I ask the Minister to look into that matter.
As regards scramblers, that change in the legislation was a recommendation of a sub-committee of my antisocial behaviour forum. I am glad the legislation was passed and is now operational.
The distribution of gardaí is an operational matter and for the Commissioner. I have no doubt he keeps Limerick very much to the fore, however.
