The Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, has learned that local authorities can now introduce community wardens outside schools following the success of a pilot scheme. He had sought an update on the pilot scheme commitment as included in the Programme for Government.
Dep Ring questioned the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley, in the Dáil on the issue and queried if it would be extended nationwide.
Minister Gormley responded: “The pilot community warden service, which was established in five local authorities in 2002, has since been placed on a permanent footing. Following a process of adjudication, the practical issues concerning the extension of the service to other local authorities have recently been settled. Accordingly, it is now open to other local authorities to introduce the scheme, having regard to local circumstances.”
Dep Ring said with the volume of traffic in every town and village in the country, it is very important to have this scheme extended nationally. He continued: “The pilot scheme worked well. It is now on a permanent basis. I am calling on the Government and local authorities to have school wardens appointed at as many schools as possible in the county and in the country.”
