Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2007
247 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings which have issued in respect of adults and children in Athlone and surrounding areas of County Westmeath under the ASBO legislation. [25512/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra248 Deputy Mary O’Rourke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings which have issued in respect of adults and children in Mullingar and surrounding areas of County Westmeath under the ASBO legislation. [25513/07]
Amharc ar fhreagra251 Deputy Niall Blaney asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings issued in County Donegal since their introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25544/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 248 and 251 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 Childrens' 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. There have also been two formal good behaviour contracts, which are used only in the case of children, agreed.
I am further informed these figures include the Longford/Westmeath Garda Division, which includes Athlone and Mullingar Garda Districts, where three behaviour warnings issued to adults and the Donegal Garda Division where one behaviour warning issued to an adult. Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change.
