Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

To suggest that ASBO legislation is the only implement used by the Garda Síochána to prevent people being interfered with in their homes or in regard to anti-social behaviour is not correct as there are other means. The question put down by the Deputy in regard to the ten community sanctions clearly indicates that this is another modus operandi in regard to intervening with young people who commit crimes.

The Courts Service annual report of 2009 states that 30 juvenile defendants were given community service, 280 received probation orders and a further 560 received non-supervised sanctions, which included fines, peace bonds and disqualification. However, when considering the effectiveness of community sanctions, a key issue is the number of detention orders given. In 2009, 405 defendants received a detention order compared with 537 in 2007, which shows a significant reduction in the proportion of defendants receiving a detention order. Some 16% of juvenile defendants received a detention order in 2008 compared with 20% in 2007. The probation and welfare service annual report of 2009 shows that a further 418 young people were given orders for probation supervision during deferment of penalty.

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