Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 290: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if he will support a matter (details supplied). [34840/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Uncivil and antisocial behaviour can have a negative effect on a person's quality of life, particularly for older persons. If an older person, or any other person, considers that they have been the victim of criminal behaviour, they should report it to their local Garda station, and their complaint will be fully investigated.

The Garda Commissioner and I recently launched An Garda Síochána's Older People Strategy, which has been developed to ensure the policing needs of older people in Ireland are met to the highest possible standard. The Strategy sets out current initiatives through which An Garda Síochána are working with members of the public. Many of these initiatives can assist older people who consider they are victims of uncivil or antisocial behaviour.

Among the initiative proposed by the Strategy is the delivery of high visibility targeted patrolling, both mobile and foot, in neighbourhoods where older people reside and congregate. Local Garda management closely monitors and keeps under review patrols and other operational strategies in place, in conjunction with crime trends and policing needs of communities, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.

Community Gardaí throughout the country are designated for specific areas and are in regular contact with the residents of these areas. Community Gardaí provide a number of initiatives to benefit older people, such as Senior Citizen Information Days. An Garda Síochána encourages older people to maintain contact with their local community Gardaí and discuss any problem they may have with them. An Garda Síochána works closely with Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert Schemes, which are very supportive of older people both as people active in their community and as beneficiaries of their initiatives and would be happy to provide advice to any older people who contact them.