Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 May 2000

Vol. 519 No. 5

Written Answers. - Anti-Social Behaviour.

Seamus Kirk

Question:

289 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give consideration to the possibility of a co-ordinated approach, involving the gardaí, State agencies and local residents, to combating anti-social behaviour in housing estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14211/00]

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

As the Deputy will be aware, I have long been an advocate of inter-agency initiatives at the local level to combat crime and anti-social behaviour. The Garda Síochána has been extensively involved in conjunction with other State agencies and local residents in efforts to combat anti-social behaviour in housing estates.

Garda community based projects were set up in 1991 to address anti-social behaviour. These projects operate in disadvantaged housing estates throughout the country. They work on the basis of multi-agency co-operation and the involvement of community residents. During my term of office, the number of these projects has increased more than threefold to 39. I expect to announce further expansion later this year as part of the National Development Plan 2000-2006.

My Department and the Garda Síochána are also active in the integrated services process, which operates in four pilot areas under the direc tion of a Cabinet committee. All issues of concern to the community are dealt with on a co-operative basis between statutory agencies, voluntary agencies and community representatives.

The recently launched city and county development boards will involve all relevant agencies in decision making relating to their areas. I understand that the Garda will be represented at chief superintendent level on these boards.

Garda community policing personnel, who are present in most Garda districts, liaise with local people on the problems of their areas. Another conduit for Garda-community co-operation is the neighbourhood watch programme. There are more than 2,600 schemes, covering 410,000 homes.

A further development of all these initiatives is the pilot community policing forum in the Kevin Street district in inner city Dublin. The forum includes Gardaí, Eastern Health Board, Dublin Corporation and community representatives.

I am also informed by the Garda authorities that there is close co-operation between the local authorities and gardaí in relation to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act which allows for the eviction of tenants as a result of persistent anti-social behaviour.