Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 5: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department has allocated specific funding to bolster the resources of local authorities in dealing with anti-social behaviour orders in view of the fact that they are dealing with private estates as well as local authority estates where such behaviour is a problem; and the measures he will implement, outside of the joint policing committees, to curb growing anti-social behaviour. [33026/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will appreciate that allocation of funding to local authorities falls primarily within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

On 24 September, with my colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, I launched the roll-out of the joint policing committees established by the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to local authority areas in the State beyond the 29 already established under a pilot phase. I believe that these committees are a very significant development which will make policing more responsive to local needs. The issue of anti-social behaviour will, of course, be a priority for each committee.

The Garda Síochána operates a number of crime prevention initiatives aimed at curbing anti-social behaviour, including Garda youth diversion projects, the juvenile diversion programme and the Garda school programme.

The use of CCTV can play an important role in supporting the work of the Garda Síochána in deterring criminal and anti-social behaviour. The community-based CCTV scheme operated by my Department is designed to provide financial assistance to qualifying local organisations towards meeting the capital costs associated with the establishment of such systems.

Strong legal provisions are already in place to combat anti-social behaviour. For example, the recently enacted Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 places restrictions on the availability and visibility of alcohol and provides for more effective enforcement to deal with the consequences of alcohol abuse.

My Department is in ongoing contact with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, at the highest level on a range of issues, including tackling anti-social behaviour.

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister but he has not answered the question. My question was whether he had allocated specific funding to bolster the resources of local authorities in dealing with anti-social behaviour. The belief is that if we continue in the way we are going, there will be no difference. As he will have seen from the performance of Members on this side of the House in the past days, the Minister will know that if moneys are well spent, he will have our full support unlike with regard to the amalgamation of agencies as detailed in Priority Question No. 3.

We want the Minister to spend money well because this will provide the opportunity to nip in the bud the activities of some of these children, who are going off the rails at an early age. Does the Minister intend to allocate additional funding to local authorities to deal with anti-social behaviour?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There is a very small budget for the operation of the joint policing committees, which is the main subject of the Deputy's question. Significant resources of approximately €12 million are allocated to the Garda youth diversion projects. This funding is allocated to specific projects rather than to the local authorities. The local authorities have significant powers under various Acts on the issue of public order offences and anti-social behaviour. To the best of my memory, an Act passed in 2003 allows local authorities to pass a resolution advising a District Court judge on the issue of special exemption orders and whether local public representatives wish to have special exemption orders curtailed to 1 a.m. or 1.30 a.m. This power is available but it has not been used by local authorities. It is therefore not just a matter of resources but also of implementing some of the existing legislation and local authorities have a role in that respect. I am a great supporter of joint policing committees because for the first time they bring together local authorities and the Garda Síochána in an open forum and the Garda Síochána must account for issues arising in the locality. This brings the issues down to local level and the local representatives who are sometimes critical of the Garda Síochána can understand the Garda viewpoint and equally the Garda Síochána can encourage the local public representatives to take various initiatives.

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I itemised in my question the role of the joint policing committees because I did not want to discuss it. A cohesive campaign between local authority officials and the Garda Síochána, in conjunction with the joint policing committees, would be money very well spent.

To put it in context, the population of my district has doubled in a decade. The population of my county has increased by 60% in 15 years and we have much the same number of gardaí. Local authority staff payroll has been cut by 3% and this will mean there will not be an impact. The population of the Minister's county has also increased. When the people are not available on the ground to deal with these matters early, it will not be money well spent. This is also my concern about the joint policing committees. If the resources are not put in place, there will be no real impact.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are plenty of resources available but it is not just a matter of resources; in the case of the joint policing committees it is a matter of using those resources in a co-ordinated way. I would welcome any decision by the Garda Síochána to involve local authorities in the running of youth diversion projects or in the work of juvenile liaison officers. It is not just a matter of extra resources.

Opposition Deputies tabled questions today about Garda numbers and the reply to every question details a significant increase in Garda numbers.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That concludes priority questions.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I would be surprised if there was still the same number of gardaí in the Deputy's area as a couple of years ago.

Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

There are.