Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 November 2012
193. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will liaise with the Garda Commissioner to help resolve the problems associated with begging in Dublin city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53231/12]
View answerI am informed by the Garda authorities that a policing operation has been established to address organised begging within the Dublin inner city area. Hotspots for the commission of begging offences have been identified and are proactively monitored by Gardaí. The provisions of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2011 are utilised by members of An Garda Síochána to address unlawful begging while the offence of causing or procuring a child to beg is contained in section 247 of the Children Act 2001.
The Deputy will appreciate that the issue of begging is a wider societal problem requiring interagency responses and in this regard a proactive strategy, led by An Garda Síochána, has been developed and is being piloted in Dublin South City, Grafton Street Quarter. The stakeholders involved include Dublin City Council, Business Improvement Districts (BIDS), Health Service Executive (HSE), Dublin Children Services Committee, Pavee Point, Ruhama, Leanbh, ISPCC, as well as well as hostels and drug treatment centres. The work of this group is ongoing and aims to develop longer term solutions which will address the issue of begging other than solely through the criminal justice system.
