John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, understands from inquiries made that increased Garda activity in the vicinity of Dolphin House has led to a serious and quite sinister spate of anti-social behaviour and criminal activity, including vandalism of cars, daubing of graffiti and threatening behaviour. The Minister commends the members of the Garda Síochána on their diligence in carrying out their duties and the members of the general community in the Dolphin's Barn area who rightly support the Garda in their efforts to address anti-social behaviour and criminal activity engaged in by very small numbers of people in the area. Furthermore, he wishes to record his condemnation of those involved in this sort of activity who, purely for their own capital gain, seek to undermine the Dolphin's Barn community.

Community is and always has been the bedrock of society and its development, encouragement and protection is paramount in this Government's policy of sustainable communities. There is a very clear objective to ensure communities in all parts of the country are afforded the opportunity to grow and develop in a safe environment and to enjoy the protections afforded by the laws of the land. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008, which has been passed by the Seanad and is on Second Stage in this House, is an important legislative milestone in the ongoing development and implementation of housing policy and in progressing the sustainable communities agenda.

Of particular importance are the new provisions in the Bill relating to anti-social behaviour in the social housing stock. There is a new requirement that the elected members of each authority must adopt a strategy for the prevention and reduction of anti-social behaviour in its housing estates and complexes. The strategy must set out measures to promote good estate management and co-operation with other bodies, such as the Garda, that have a role to play in combating anti-social behaviour. The new strategies, combined with statutory initiatives to promote consultation between the Garda and local authorities, will help secure a multifaceted approach to dealing with instances of anti-social behaviour in local authority housing estates.

The definition of anti-social behaviour in the Bill is also being extended to cover graffiti and damage to property to bring it more into line with the approach in recent legislation relating to behaviour orders that may be sought by the Garda. Furthermore, the Bill extends the existing anti-social behaviour powers of housing authorities to cover a broader range of accommodation, including accommodation provided through rental or leasing arrangements.

In conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General, the Minister is also looking at the scope for further changes to existing legislation that will enhance the role of housing authorities in addressing anti-social behaviour. He will incorporate any further measures that he possibly can arising from this examination when the Bill reaches Committee Stage in the Dáil.

Regarding the issue of a regeneration programme for Dolphin House, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has not yet received a proposal in this regard from Dublin City Council. However, the Minister understands proposals are being developed and the project is at an early stage in the process, with initial consultations between the city council and community nearing completion. It will then be up to Dublin City Council to decide on the type of regeneration process most appropriate for the area and decide by which means the project should be delivered. However, it is open to the council to prioritise the project in terms of its social housing investment programme and submit a report in the usual way to the Department for project approval and funding from the within the authority's annual funding allocation.

I emphasise to the House that the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government continues to work actively with Dublin City Council in connection with its broad range of housing programmes. In that context, the Minister looks forward to continued engagement with the council as it develops and implements its ambitious programme of regeneration. I thank Deputy Ó Snodaigh for raising the issue.

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