Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 February 2013
632. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 each year since 2010, and to date in 2013; the age profile of those that have been issued ASBOs; the type and level of offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5216/13]
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 since 1 January 2010 and up to 31 January 2013, 2,487 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 1,241 to children. Two good behaviour contracts were made in respect of a child during the same period. Two civil orders in respect of adults, (age 18 and over), and no behaviour orders in respect of children have been issued by the courts during this period. 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.
