Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Rabbitte for raising this very important issue. It is critical that the matter be addressed, for the well-being of communities but also of individuals and families. The intimidation that happens has the result of causing upset to residents who are living their lives as best they can, and their lives are interrupted by such behaviour. It can also be very frightening for individual residents. Those concerns are very prominent in my work as Minister. From my role as a public representative I am aware that the issue raised by Deputy Rabbitte is one that demands ongoing attention and intervention.

In so far as the specific local circumstances to which Deputy Rabbitte referred are concerned, I will raise them with the Garda Commissioner and will revert to the Deputy when I have a detailed assessment of the particular instances he has highlighted. I would be very happy to meet with him to discuss the issues and to see what further action could be taken. I have been in contact with the Commissioner about the type of issue raised by Deputy Rabbitte. It is a key priority for the Garda to tackle anti-social behaviour and such public disorder as has been outlined, as will be evident in the policing plan for the year, which will be published shortly. I join with Deputy Rabbitte in what he said about the reprehensible attack on the President last week by anti-social elements who thought it was appropriate to do so.

I wish to mention some of the measures in place to tackle anti-social behaviour. Recruitment to the Garda Síochána has started for the first time since 2008. A further 100 recruits will begin training next week. That will give the Garda the opportunity to deploy extra staff and to examine where gardaí are posted. That is clearly a matter for the Commissioner, but I hope some of the 300 new recruits will be available to tackle such behaviour in a range of communities. The increased funding provided for Garda vehicles and for the justice budget generally is a significant background support to the police presence and to police work. I make that point in a general way.

I wish to refer to the wide range of powers that are available to the Garda at present. Deputy Rabbitte made the point that certain powers exist but he asked whether they are sufficiently used. We must ensure they are used. The Criminal Justice Act 2006 contains provisions for civil proceedings to be taken against adults or children for anti-social behaviour. The range of powers include juvenile and adult cautions, fixed charge penalty notices and the bringing of prosecutions. I will discuss again with the Commissioner whether she feels the legislation could be strengthened in any way to give the Garda more powers.

The young people whom Deputy Rabbitte described are a subset of young people. Many young people behave extremely well. Particular groups of young people are involved in anti-social behaviour. Garda youth diversion projects have been extremely successful and we will invest in them further this year. The Tallaght Youth Service operates a youth diversion programme in the Tallaght area. A total of €11 million has been invested in the programme and a further €2 million will be allocated this year, which will allow for a variety of extra places in areas that are identified as being in most need of such a programme. I have seen such programmes operate effectively, as I am sure has Deputy Rabbitte.

I would like to go into more detail on local policing and some of the action that has been taken, for example, by South Dublin County Council. New by-laws introduced in 2011 allow the Garda to remove scrambler bikes, quads and other vehicles from parks and open spaces. That is an important initiative. The joint policing committees are important in terms of the collaboration that is needed, as outlined by Deputy Rabbitte, in certain areas. From discussion with the Garda Síochána it appears that a very targeted approach is needed in particular areas where anti-social behaviour is prevalent. It is a question of ensuring that happens.

The Deputy referred to inter-agency collaboration and he also referred to housing. The Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 has been enacted. In the first quarter of this year the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government will commence Part 2 of the Act. That will strengthen the powers of housing authorities to obtain court orders to exclude persons engaged in anti-social behaviour from local authority accommodation and estates. I agree with Deputy Rabbitte that such an initiative is needed in certain circumstances. A clear message must be given to families who persist in anti-social behaviour on an ongoing basis. The new housing legislation strengthens the power of local authorities to remove such families. It is the responsibility of everyone involved in local communities - the Garda, local authorities and those involved in community development - to bring instances of anti-social behaviour to the attention of housing authorities if removal is deemed to be the solution in certain circumstances. In the first quarter of this year the law will be strengthened to ensure housing authorities have greater power to do that.

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