Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Crime Prevention.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

29 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he is taking to end the scourge of vandalism and drug-related crime in the flat complexes of the Dublin Central constituency and greater Dublin; and if he will at last bring a sense of urgency to this matter. [16087/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I am informed by the Garda Síochána that the problem of drugs and drug related crime in the Dublin area is being addressed in the context of Operation Dóchas with considerable success. This is a Garda anti-drugs initiative and incorporates dedicated gardaí being employed in specific identified areas, concentrating on drug related activities. Since Operation Dóchas commenced on 7 October 1996, drugs with an estimated value of £4,240,335 have been seized. Gardaí involved in Operation Dóchas and local communities are united in their efforts to make it a success.

With regard to vandalism, I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no identifiable increase in instances of vandalism in the Dublin area.

I would also like to draw attention to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1997, which was introduced by the Minister for the Environment and came into effect from 1 July 1997. The Act provides for a range of measures to assist housing authorities in addressing problems arising on their housing estates from drug dealing and serious anti-social behaviour. The Act provides for a new exclusion order procedure against individual occupants of a local authority house involved in anti-social behaviour thereby avoiding the need for eviction of entire households in certain circumstances. It also includes provisions for the Garda, on notification by the housing authority, to remove squatters who are engaged in anti-social behaviour from local authority housing. The Act also assists housing authorities to discharge their housing estate management function in a positive manner in conjunction with the various other initiatives which have been taken to promote estate management particularly in the area of partnership between the authority and tenants.

In addition, the national drugs strategy team on which my Department is represented is involved in focusing the distribution of resources to those areas most affected by the drugs problem which would include communities such as those referred to by the Deputy.

The Deputy can be assured that there will be no let-up in the fight against crime and that further measures will be taken by this Government as required.