James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Crowe for raising this very important matter relating to antisocial behaviour throughout Ireland but specifically in Eyre Square. Senator Crowe has been raising concerns not only here in the Chamber but also behind the scenes with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána. I understand how important it is to him to ensure members of the public and his local community are safe in his city. I have been to Eyre Square many times and the warm welcome received by domestic and international tourists in the city is renowned. We have to ensure our public spaces are kept open for the public and communities. That is their purpose and under no circumstances should they be lost to antisocial behaviour.

The Government is determined to tackle antisocial behaviour and is very conscious of the effect it can have on the quality of life for local communities. We are clear that incidents of assault or intimidation are completely unacceptable and that people must be safe and feel safe within their communities. The programme for Government and the Justice Plan 2021 contain a number of commitments with regard to tackling antisocial behaviour and I will touch on a number of these important commitments.

As Senators will be aware, the expert forum on antisocial behaviour was established by this Government in line with the programme for Government. I chair the forum, which is charged with considering the effectiveness of existing legislation and propose new ways forward, including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders. We were determined when this Government was formed that we would set up the antisocial behaviour forum in which, at a high level, representative groups could come together to address the issues around antisocial behaviour. Rural and urban groups are represented on the forum and we work closely with the road safety forum, which I also sit on, to look at tackling issues around antisocial behaviour and other issues affecting both rural and urban Ireland.

The forum has already produced a report regarding the misuse of scramblers, which I believe was very well received. It is expected that a report on knife crime will be available early next year. Future reporting will be produced on specific issues as and when they arise. That is very much what we focus on in the forum. Rather than trying to duplicate what other forums, such as the road safety forum, are doing, we target individual issues and try to come up with both community and legislative responses to those issues.

Earlier this year, I launched the youth justice strategy for the period 2021 to 2027. The strategy was published in April last. I thank the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, for his significant support in providing additional funding of €6.7 million in this year's budget to help kick-start that new youth justice strategy and recruit youth workers. The strategy includes consideration of the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system, including early intervention and preventative work, family support and diversion from crime, through to court process and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release.

The immediate priority is to enhance engagement with children and young people who are most at risk of involvement in criminal activity, principally by strengthening the services available through the existing network of youth diversion projects. As I said, the Minister, Deputy McGrath, contributed an additional €6.7 million this year, an increase of approximately 40% in the budget for youth justice, which is very significant.

An unprecedented €2 billion funding for An Garda Síochána allocated in budget 2022 also reflects the commitment of the Government to ensuring communities are safe and An Garda Síochána has the resources to be effective. This funding will include provision for the recruitment of 800 new Garda recruits and 400 Garda staff. We have the process of civilianisation of An Garda Síochána whereby we use civilian staff to release gardaí from administrative duties back on to the front line to help ensure our communities are being kept safe.