Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position on policing near a venue (details supplied) in Dublin 3 and if he will ensure that local residents are protected on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9.00 p.m. to 3.00 a.m.; and to work with local residents on this matter. [37717/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that Gardaí from Raheny and Clontarf Garda Stations police the area referred to. The Gardaí maintain regular contact with the management of the premises referred to, in order to address any public order issues which may arise.

I am also informed that additional Gardaí are deployed in this area during the times referred to, particularly at weekends and when events are being held. Current policing plans in the area are predicated on the prevention of anti-social behaviour and public disorder, the prevention of crime, including crimes of violence against persons and property and the maintenance of an environment conducive to the improvement of quality of life of the residents. Garda units are directed to pay particular attention to areas where local youths tend to congregate. This strategy will continue to be central to the delivery of a policing service to the area in question.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position with regard to the implementation of anti social behaviour orders; the resources being allocated to facilitate same; the training that is being undertaken by An Garda Síochána, and in particular senior Garda, in order to prepare them to carry out their functions in relation to ASBOs; the further training or guidance that is being promised to the Judiciary on the making of a behaviour order, on attaching conditions to an order and on the sanctions appropriate to be imposed on a breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37829/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 1 November, 2006. As I set out in that reply, the Criminal Justice Act, 2006 empowers a senior member of the Garda Síochána to apply to the District Court by way of a civil procedure for an order which will prohibit an adult from behaving in an anti-social manner.

Separate provision is being made in relation to young people. The Act introduces provisions for behaviour orders for children aged 12 to 18 years into the Children Act, 2001 and the protections of that Act will apply. There will be a series of incremental stages, with parental involvement, preceding an application for a behaviour order. These include a warning, a good behaviour contract and referral to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme. Only after these stages can a behaviour order be sought through the courts.

The relevant provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 will be commenced following consultations between my Department, the Office of the Minister for Children and the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána. The purpose of this is to ensure that these provisions will commence as soon as the Commissioner has made the necessary internal arrangements to ensure the smooth introduction of these new procedures. Work by the Garda Síochána is under way in consultation with my Department to draw up the necessary procedures, including provision for Garda training, to implement.

Insofar as the resources available to the Gardaí to carry out these and other functions are concerned, the position is that these have been increased significantly in recent years. The personnel strength (all ranks) of An Garda Síochána increased to a record 12,762 on Friday, 8 September, 2006, following the attestation of 249 new members. This compares with a total strength of 10,702 (all ranks) as at 30 June, 1997 and represents an increase of 2,060 (or 19%) in the personnel strength of the Force during that period. The induction of 280 new Garda recruits to the Garda College on 6 November, 2006 has resulted in a combined strength, of both attested Gardaí and recruits in training, of 14,137. The Garda Budget now stands at €1.3 billion, a 13% increase on 2005 and an 85% increase since 1997 in real terms.

In the case of the Judiciary, who are independent in the exercise of their functions under the law and the Constitution, the Deputy should note that the provision of training and education is a matter for the Judicial Studies Institute which was established by the Chief Justice in 1996 for this purpose. My role in this regard is to support the Institute through funding made available in the Courts Vote which is administered by the Courts Service.