Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2007
336 Deputy Thomas McEllistrim asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in setting up anti-social behaviour action teams in the local authority areas of County Kerry as set out in the programme for Government. [24122/07]
View answer340 Deputy Brendan Kenneally asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in setting up anti-social behaviour action teams in the local authority areas of Waterford City Council and Waterford County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24143/07]
View answer348 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in setting up anti-social behaviour action teams in the local authority areas of south Tipperary as set out in the programme for Government. [24198/07]
View answer357 Deputy Peter Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress in setting up anti-social behaviour action teams in the local authority areas of Limerick city and county as set out in the programme For Government. [24225/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 336, 340, 348 and 357 together.
I attach a high priority to the combating of anti-social behaviour. One of the priorities set for An Garda Síochána for 2007 under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is addressing anti-social behaviour and behaviour adversely affecting the quality of life of communities, with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour. To this end An Garda Síochána are driving forward the establishment of interagency activities against anti-social behaviour, including the deployment of CCTV in urban areas. In addition, they are identifying local public order and anti-social behaviour hot spots and developing responsive actions and plans. In setting the policing priorities for 2008, I propose to make the area of public order one of these priorities.
The Agreed Programme for Government contains a wide range of commitments to combat anti-social behaviour. One of these commitments is the creation of Anti-social Behaviour Action Teams in each local authority area. I have asked my Department, in consultation with the relevant agencies, to draw up proposals for taking forward this matter as quickly as possible.
337 Deputy Thomas McEllistrim asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings that have been issued in respect of adults and children in County Kerry under the ASBO legislation. [24123/07]
View answer338 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings issued under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to adults, children and youths since their inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/07]
View answer347 Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings that have been issued in respect of adults and children in Tipperary under the ASBO legislation. [24197/07]
View answer358 Deputy Peter Power asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings that have been issued in respect of adults and children in Limerick county and Limerick city under the ASBOs legislation. [24226/07]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 338, 347 and 358 together.
Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. With regard to children, these range from a warning from a member of An Garda Síochána, to a good behaviour contract involving the child and his or her parents or guardian, to referral to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme and to the making of a behaviour order by the Children Court. I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 30 September, 2007, 264 behaviour warnings to adults and 80 behaviour warnings to children were issued.
During the same period the Kerry Garda Division issued 14 behaviour warnings to adults and 1 behaviour warning to a child. The Tipperary Garda Division issued 5 behaviour warnings to adults and no behaviour warnings to children. The Limerick Garda Division issued 17 behaviour warnings to adults and 9 behaviour warnings to children. Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change.
