asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, he has for the wider use of community policing, especially in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

107.

asked the Minister for Justice the current strength of the community policing projects in Dublin north-east; and if he will outline the proposals to expand and develop these schemes in existing and new areas.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 107 together.

The number of gardaí engaged in community policing schemes in Dublin north-east is nine. The Garda authorities are continuing to monitor and review these schemes so as to realise their full potential in meeting the policing needs of the local communities they serve.

An extension of community policing to further areas of the Dublin Metropolitan Area is at present under active consideration. The Minister for Justice will be making an announcement on the matter very shortly.

Would the Minister not agree that because the very successful community policing project in Dublin north-east has been in place for three years and upwards it is time we abandoned the project stage and established community policing throughout the city and country as a permanent part of policing services?

The disposition of members of the Garda Síochána is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. I am sure the Deputy remembers that I was chairman of the committee of this House who first proposed the introduction of both the neighbourhood watch scheme and the community policing system. The Deputy need have no fear about my interest in that form of policing. It has been very successful and I am very familiar with its operation on the ground. The Garda authorities have indicated that they are very happy with the system and they plan to expand it further. The expansion of the system will have to await their further consideration.

How long does the Minister anticipate we will have to wait for this further consideration to be completed? Is it not time that we moved beyond the project stage? Communities in the city and throughout the country are crying out for this type of service. Indeed, the community policing project which has been run in Dublin north-east for the past three years needs to be expanded urgently.

The Deputy will be aware that, at the end of November, the Minister introduced a comprehensive package to fight crime which will have effect particularly at the beginning of next year. Two hundred and fifty civilians will be involved in this project which will free up gardaí so that they can come out on to the streets. Another 250 members of the Garda who are due to retire compulsorily are being kept on so that more gardaí will be available and the plan to appoint another 1,000 gardaí is being stepped up. The Deputy will realise that in the context of these improvements — a package of £30 million was recently provided by the Government — the Garda Síochána will be in a position to greatly improve the policing service and to provide community policing. The Garda will very shortly be in a position to introduce whatever measures they consider best.

That disposes of questions for today.