Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
146. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport the engagements that he has had with public transport providers on combatting antisocial behaviour on public transport services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21090/22]
View answer432. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans to improve security on public transport; if he has engaged with the Minister for Justice regarding the possibility of establishing a dedicated unit in An Garda Síochána to tackle violence, intimidation and anti-social behaviour on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21030/22]
View answer433. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of plans to improve security on public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21031/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 146, 432 and 433 together.
The safety and security of both public transport passengers and staff, including arrangements to deal with anti-social behaviour, are important matters that, first and foremost, must be managed by every public transport company, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána where appropriate. The National Transport Authority (NTA) is also engaged with public transport operators regarding the issue of anti-social behaviour.
As such, decisions regarding a dedicated transport police unit and the allocation of Garda resources are matters for the Minister of Justice and the Garda Commissioner. I am given to understand that the views of An Garda Síochána are that effective local community policing can meet the policing needs of the public transport network and that the Garda authorities do not propose to establish a specialist or dedicated transport policing unit at this time.
Nonetheless, the Department has been engaging regularly with the NTA and the three CIÉ companies, on the issue of anti-social behaviour and a significant number of actions have been taken. These include;
- Iarnród Éireann have significantly increased their security resources with up to 20 security teams operating daily on-board and in stations (spend on security has increased from €3.7 million to €5.2 million pa since 2016).
- Since May 2021, Iarnród Éireann and an Garda Síochána have joined forces to tackle anti-social behaviour in the Greater Dublin Area and on the DART, Northern Line and Heuston to Portlaoise services.
- Iarnród Éireann liaises on a minimum quarterly basis with An Garda Síochána in major districts to address trends and issues on an area basis.
- An Iarnród Éireann/AGS inter-agency operation was established targeting incidents of graffiti and criminal damage to train carriages; as part of this operation Gardaí conducted patrols of rail lines in an effort to target groups involved in this activity.
- CCTV is available on most trains and has successfully been used on numerous occasions in securing prosecutions. They are also in place in stations.
- A DART text alert line has been established for discrete reporting of Anti-Social incidents.
- There has been an increase in the number of Garda response hubs (to 8) on InterCity routes to support both customers and staff.
- Appointment of Senior Security Advisor in addition to Security Enforcement & Compliance Manager and Crime Prevention Officer, all of whom are former members of An Garda Síochána with extensive knowledge in the area of crime and crime prevention.
- Increased number of Prohibition Notices issued to persistent offenders across rail network.
- Reportable ASB incidents have reduced from 654 in 2020 to 549 in 2021.
- An Garda Siochana is to co-ordinate a number of Joint Awareness Days (Operation Twin Track) on the Railway and LUAS during 2022. Joint Garda & Iarnród Éireann high visibility public safety operations took place across the network over the Easter period with a number of fines issued.
Transdev Dublin Light Rail, who operate the Luas network on behalf of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, employ 50 security staff. These staff are involved in maintaining safety and security on the Luas, along with enforcing the Luas bye-laws. They liaise with An Garda Síochána regularly as part of their work.
In relation to security on our public bus services, the entire Dublin Bus fleet is fully fitted with CCTV cameras, with up to 11 internal cameras and three external cameras fitted on the more modern vehicles in the fleet. Each vehicle is equipped with a radio, which facilitates immediate contact to the Central Control Centre.
Any instances of disruption or concerns around security are immediately reported and services are suspended as necessary. The company also has mobile inspectors in the city centre, who are available to attend incidents as required, and all Dublin Bus employees are fully trained on the comprehensive procedures for dealing with specific challenging situations including anti-social behaviour.
Dublin Bus has also re-introduced their Schools Education Programme (previously suspended due to Covid-19) which involves educating young people about the importance of the bus in their lives and in their local community. The work of their School and Community Co-ordinators has also proven highly successful in encouraging young people to respect their bus and has assisted greatly in the reduction of incidents of anti-social behaviour.
Beyond this Dublin Bus has a strong and close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and have set up a number of community forums in different areas across the city. These forums are made up of Dublin Bus representatives, the Gardaí, local area representatives, community groups and Trade Union Representatives.
Bus Éireann has similarly also invested in extensive CCTV coverage throughout its fleet for the protection of passengers and staff. Emergency support for drivers is provided through 24-hour control centres and any incidents of anti-social behaviour are fully investigated and followed up with An Garda Síochána as required.
All Bus Éireann city and town buses are fitted with driver security screens. Security personnel are employed in our larger bus stations and extensive CCTV is also in operation throughout all stations to ensure the security of our staff, customers and property. Furthermore, customer research shows that 93% of Bus Éireann customers feel safe and secure during their journeys.
The combined interventions implemented to date across our public transport services have substantially helped to tackle anti-social behaviour; however, this is an issue which will require on-going monitoring. As such, I am committed to continuing to work collectively with all stakeholders to ensure the safest possible travel environment for members of the public, and the safest possible working environment for the employees providing our valuable public transport services.
