Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of charges brought against persons defacing public and private property with graffiti and so on in 2005; and the number of convictions for same. [10284/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997 provide for the offences of damaging or defacing property. The offence of defacing property with graffiti is not specifically provided for in the Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the statistics are not compiled in such a way as to provide the information requested.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that in 2005 there were 6,159 proceedings commenced for damaging property belonging to another under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, resulting in 1,130 convictions to date. Proceedings were also commenced on two occasions for an offence contrary to sections 19(1), 19(6) and 24 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997 which specifically relates to defacement of a structure or article, resulting in one conviction. Figures provided for 2005 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

I recently announced a new anti-graffiti and anti-vandalism campaign whereby gardaí will work with local authorities and other State bodies, to develop an action programme to deal with incidents of graffiti, with particular reference to race-related graffiti and other forms of anti-social behaviour such as the destruction of newly planted trees in our streets and villages. Some €1 million is being provided for this purpose by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will be matched by financial support of €1 million each from the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
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Question 619: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of charges brought against persons defacing public and private property with graffiti and so on in the Garda Dublin north central division in 2005; the number of convictions for same. [10285/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Criminal Damage Act 1991 and the Litter Pollution Act 1997 provide for the offences of damaging or defacing property.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 620 proceedings commenced in 2005 for damaging property belonging to another under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, resulting in 95 convictions in the north central division of the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR. The offence of defacing property with graffiti is not individually identified in the Criminal Damage Act 1991, and therefore statistics are not available to identify the proceedings commenced which relate specifically to offences involving graffiti.

There were no prosecutions brought under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 in the north central division of the DMR. Figures provided for 2005 are provisional, operational and liable to change.

I recently announced a new anti-graffiti and anti-vandalism campaign whereby gardaí will work with local authorities and other State bodies, to develop an action programme to deal with incidents of graffiti, with particular reference to race-related graffiti and other forms of anti-social behaviour such as the destruction of newly planted trees in our streets and villages. Some €1 million is being provided for this purpose by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which will be matched by financial support of €1 million each from the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.