Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:23. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the initiatives that are being taken to tackle anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25987/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 May 2022
Ceisteanna (23)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government is committed to tackling anti-social behaviour and a number of priority actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of such behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities.
In line with the Programme for Government, I have established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, which I chair, to examine a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of such incidents on community morale and quality of life. Two subgroups have been established under the forum to consider the specific issues of knife crime and the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes. Other subgroups may be established to tackle additional specific issues as required.
The knife crime subgroup has assessed available evidence to inform policy on knife crime and is finalising its proposals.
Arising from the work of the subgroup on the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, funding of almost €200,000 is being provided to eight community-based projects to work with young people involved in the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes and related crime.
An Garda Síochána also continues to implement high-visibility policing plans to address public disorder-related issues and anti-social behaviour, with particular overt and targeted policing of public places at times when public order incidents and anti-social behaviour typically increase, such as bank holiday weekends.
In Dublin city centre, An Garda Síochána commenced Operation Citizen in October last year to focus on anti-social behaviour, public order and quality of life issues, assaults and high volume crimes. Operation Citizen, which involves increased levels of visible policing at key locations, also focuses on community and stakeholder engagement. A new Garda hub will be established at Upper O’Connell Street to coordinate Operation Citizen and other Garda operations in place in Dublin city centre and I am advised that work to prepare the premises for the Garda hub is well underway.
Other important Garda operations are in place across the country to reduce anti-social behaviour, such as Operation Copóg, which commenced in March 2021 to disrupt and target the sale and supply of controlled drugs in St Mary’s Park area of Limerick city.
In addition, Operation Soteria, the national strategy to target assault reduction, continues nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2022 included significant additional funding to support initiatives under the Youth Justice Strategy and the new Community Safety Innovation Fund, €6.7 million and €2 million respectively, which will support community-based initiatives to divert those involved in anti-social or criminal behaviours and guide them towards pro-social behaviours.
Although anti-social behaviour is sometimes represented as a youth-related problem, crime figures show that relevant offences occur across a wide age range, underlining the need for a considered and evidence-informed approach to developing measures to counter anti-social behaviour.
Justice Plan 2022, published earlier this year by Minister McEntee and I, will continue the Department’s focused commitment to working with An Garda Síochána, local communities and wider society to eliminate such behaviour and support community safety into the future.