Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2012
520 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints made to Gardaí in each county in relation to anti-social behaviour over the past five years; the nature of the complaints made; the action that was taken to tackle each complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21814/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report from the Garda authorities in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.
521 Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of behaviour warnings, good behaviour contracts and anti-social behaviour orders that have been handed out to adults and children since 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21815/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 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, which relates 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 finally to the making of a behaviour order by the Children Court. With regard to adults, they include a warning and the making of a civil order by the court.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 31 March 2012, 3,222 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 2,076 to children. Fifteen good behaviour contracts were made in respect of a child. In addition, four civil orders (in respect of adults) and three behaviour orders (in respect of children) have been issued by the courts. In setting up the regime in the Act the intention was that the different interventions would address the problem behaviour. If they succeeded, there would be no need to apply to the courts for an order. It is only if they failed to lead to a behaviour adjustment by the person in question, that a court order would be applied for.
