Seanad debates
Wednesday, 1 December 2021
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Antisocial Behaviour
10:30 am
Annie Hoey (Labour)
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I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, to the House.
Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State to the Chamber. When is it expected the report from the export forum on antisocial behaviour will be received, in light of the increasing incidence of antisocial behaviour throughout the country, including Galway, my home city, but also other cities such as Dublin, Cork, Waterford and Limerick? There have been issues with antisocial behaviour, which has certainly increased in the inner cities since the pandemic began more than 18 months ago. There are a number of reasons for that. I can speak about Eyre Square at first hand, having been born and raised 200 yards from it. The square has suffered from a spate of antisocial behaviour in recent times, including a tragic incident where a young woman lost sight in one eye when a firework was let off. This has become such an issue that the chief superintendent of Mill Street Garda station in Galway city has even suggested the square may have to be closed at a certain hour. As a Member of the Oireachtas, I certainly would not be in agreement with that suggestion, which is not a solution.
As the Minister of State is aware, Eyre Square is in the heart of Galway city, very close to the train and bus stations and is often the first impression of our city for visitors and tourists alike. Galway has always been a largely safe and happy place to live and visit. We cannot allow the actions of a tiny minority to alter that. A Christmas market with a large number of stalls is open in Eyre Square. The market has activities for kids and adults, across the divide. It will run right up to Christmas and offers an opportunity because there is full-time security in the square now. However, the Garda presence in Eyre Square will need to be enhanced immediately after the market closes. That issue must be dealt with. The visibility of gardaí is vital in reducing crimes. We are currently seeing that, with the success of Operation Citizen in Dublin, with which the Minister of State will be familiar. As highlighted last week, that operation has reduced crime statistics, which is very welcome.
As I said, a number of issues are causing this problem. Hospitality businesses are closing earlier and people have no place to go. This is a major concern. I am fully aware that Garda operations are a matter for the Garda. Is the Department in a position to highlight the importance of locations such as Eyre Square being properly policed? Seeing gardaí on the ground gives certainty to businesses and residents in the inner city in Galway. It is paramount that residents are safe and secure in their homes. I will await the Minister of State's response.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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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.
Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his very positive comments in regard to public spaces. They are for the enjoyment of all our people. I welcome his comments on Eyre Square in particular. It is very positive that nearly €7 million has been set aside and that the Minister of State is working with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The biggest issue is the visibility of gardaí on the ground. That has never been more important. I very much welcome the recruitment of an additional 800 gardaí and 400 civilian staff.Is it the case that over the next 12 months there will be an extra 1,200 gardaí? If it is, that is very welcome, and if Galway, as the capital of the west and a leading area, could be prioritised, I would greatly appreciate it.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Community safety is a core priority of the Department of Justice and for the Government in terms of the different programmes it is bringing forward. The deployment of gardaí throughout the country is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. Once gardaí are deployed to the various divisions, it is a matter for the chief superintendents whether they are deployed as community gardaí, in high visibility situations or in other settings within An Garda Síochána as needed. I agree that with the additional recruitment of 800 gardaí next year, the recruitment that is ongoing this year and the increase in civilian staff within An Garda Síochána we will be able to release gardaí for operational matters and, thus, an increase in the level of visibility. Visibility is important. We have already seen an increase in visibility but within our communities and public areas we need to see a further increase in visibility. The new Garda operating model, which will be focused on the community aspect of An Garda Síochána, will be important as well in getting that visibility.
It is also important for us all to work together to create a situation where antisocial behaviour is not just a matter for An Garda Síochána. While gardaí can present, knock heads and move people on, where antisocial behaviour is occurring it requires engagement with the local authorities, the HSE, Tusla and many other bodies to ensure that, at an early age, people are being diverted from this activity into more positive behaviour and, also, that they confront the consequences of their actions, as is currently happening through the Department of Justice in terms of restorative justice and people being made to face that what they are doing is not consequence free or a bit of fun but it has serious impacts on people's quality of life.