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Anti-Social Behaviour

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 May 2014

Thursday, 15 May 2014

Ceisteanna (140)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

140. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position regarding residents affected by local authority tenants conducting anti-social behaviour (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21987/14]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While action to deal with anti-social behaviour is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána, persons affected by anti-social behaviour on the part of residents of local authority rented dwellings should contact the housing authority concerned in confidence, as the body responsible for estate management.

Housing authorities have substantial powers under the Housing Acts 1966 to 2014 to manage their housing stock, including countering anti-social behaviour, and I have no proposals to bring their dwellings within the ambit of the Residential Tenancies Acts 2004 and 2009. A housing authority has the power to seek a court order excluding a person engaged in anti-social behaviour from entering a local authority dwelling or estate for a period of up to 3 years. A housing authority is also empowered to refuse to allocate, or to refuse to sell, a dwelling to such a person. At the policy level, every housing authority has a statutory duty to adopt and review an anti-social behaviour strategy for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour in its housing stock, which must provide for co-operation with other relevant bodies, notably the Gardaí.

In addition, the Housing (scellaneous Provisions) Bill 2014 published on 9 May, 2014 includes a revised procedure to replace section 62 of the Housing Act 1966, enabling housing authorities to recover possession of their dwellings from households in serious breach of their tenancy agreements, including because of engaging in anti-social behaviour. The Bill also includes provisions that will strengthen the powers of housing authorities in relation to excluding orders. I anticipate that the Bill will be enacted by the Summer recess.

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