Dáil debates

Thursday, 16 October 2014

Topical Issue Debate

Anti-Social Behaviour

4:40 pm

Photo of Terence FlanaganTerence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her response and welcome the new Garda recruits, who are badly needed. Gardaí on patrol are experiencing considerable pressure and low morale at times. Can some of the new recruits be deployed to city centre type activities? The Garda Reserve should also be more visible. I ask the Minister to comment on the increased use of the reserve. People want to see gardaí on the beat, especially on our main streets, because it helps them feel safer and more confident. Businesses are suffering a negative impact from the number of people who are either begging or are drug addicts. These people need extra services. The poverty problem is an important part of the reason people go begging.

In regard to sentencing, there are people walking our streets who have received 100 or more convictions. The revolving door is a big problem in this regard, particularly where people persistently commit offences and are still walking the streets. Would the Minister consider anti-social behaviour orders as a measure to target certain people and stop them engaging in anti-social behaviour? Rehabilitation services for drug addicts need more money. As the Minister for Health has a lot on his hands, the Government should consider appointing a Minister specifically to deal with drugs and alcohol because these are key areas.

I ask the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, for her assurance that she will investigate solutions to the issues arising for policing and improving the quality of the environment in the city centre, which we have to face every day.

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