Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I am speaking on behalf of the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, who is unfortunately unable to be present this evening, as he is speaking on the Government's behalf at another function. I assure the Deputy that the Tánaiste and I share his concerns about anti-social behaviour, and in particular the vandalising of cars, in the area concerned.

Before commenting on the matter raised by the Deputy, it may be helpful to put the issue of crime into perspective. Headline crime in 2005 was 4.4% lower than in 2002. Furthermore, in 1995, with a population of almost 3.6 million people, there were 29 crimes per 1,000 of the population, while in 2005, with a population of over 4.1 million, there were 24.6 crimes per 1,000 of the population. The most recent crime figures, for the third quarter, released for the first time by the Central Statistics Office, show a decrease of 1.6% compared with the same quarter last year.

The Tánaiste is giving the highest priority to providing the resources to the Garda Síochána to tackle and prevent crime. He is very pleased to be informed by the Garda authorities, who are responsible for the detailed allocation of resources, including personnel, that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Garda Síochána increased to a record 13,000 on Thursday, 16 November 2006, following the attestation of 299 new members. That compares with a total strength of 10,702, all ranks, on 30 June 1997 and represents an increase of 2,298, or 21.5%, in the personnel strength of the force during the period since. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November resulted in a combined strength, of both attested gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137.

The year 2007 will see more than 275 fully trained gardaí graduating from Templemore every quarter — 1,100 in total over the year — allowing the Commissioner to provide a highly visible policing presence throughout the country. The Tánaiste has asked the Commissioner to devote significant resources to policing RAPID programme areas where residents experience persistent vandalism, intimidation and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

I am further informed that the personnel strength, all ranks, of the Dublin Metropolitan region north central division, which includes the Bridewell Garda station, which has responsibility for the area concerned, increased from 585 to 642 between 31 December 1997 and 31 October 2006, representing an increase of 57, or 9.74%, in the number of Garda personnel allocated to the division.

In addition, I point out to the Deputy that the division's resources are further augmented by several Garda national units, such as the Garda national drugs unit and other specialised units.

It is the responsibility of Garda management to allocate personnel to and within divisions on a priority basis in accordance with the requirements of different areas. Those personnel allocations are determined by several factors, including demographics, crime trends, administrative functions and other operational policing needs. Garda management states that such allocations are continually monitored and reviewed along with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy. That ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources and that the best possible service is provided to the public.

The Government continues to provide record resources for anti-crime strategies. The publication of the Estimates for 2007, which show an increase of 10% on this year's budget, serve to underline the Tánaiste's commitment in this respect. The additional overtime allocation will yield almost 3 million extra personnel hours of policing by uniformed and special units throughout the State. That significant increase in funding, and the continuing increase in the strength of the force, will enhance the capacity of the Garda Síochána to combat crime.

Strong provisions are already in place to combat anti-social and unlawful behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which modernised the law in this regard. Furthermore, because of the Tánaiste's concerns about the abuse of alcohol and its contribution to public order offending and broader social problems, he brought forward tough new provisions to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect on public order in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. In addition, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 provides the Garda Síochána with additional powers to deal with late night street violence and anti-social conduct attributable to excessive drinking.

More recently, the Tánaiste brought forward additional provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to deal with anti-social behaviour. This Act empowers a senior member of the Garda Síochána to apply to the District Court by way of a civil procedure for an order to prohibit an adult from behaving in an anti-social manner. Separate provision is being made in regard to young people. The relevant provisions of the Act will be commenced following consultations between the Tánaiste's Department, the Office of the Minister for Children and the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. These consultations are ongoing.

The Tánaiste was informed by the Garda authorities that they received several complaints concerning criminal damage to vehicles parked in the area concerned on Sunday, 19 November. These incidents are under active investigation and every effort, including the examination of CCTV footage from the area, is being made to identify those responsible for these acts of criminal damage. The Tánaiste is assured that the local community policing unit has been directed to make contact with all of the injured parties to inform them that their complaints are being actively investigated by the Garda authorities.

The Tánaiste has been advised that additional Garda patrols by uniform and plain clothes personnel, on foot and mountain bike, have been put in place in order to ensure a visible Garda presence in the area concerned. Local Garda management will continue to utilise the resources necessary to combat this unacceptable behaviour.

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