Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he supports the multi-disciplinary approach towards combating antisocial behaviour by a minority of tenants in local authority estates; the arrangements currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40411/06]

Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Local authorities have extensive powers under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 to deal with the problem of anti social behaviour. In fulfilment of commitments in the Housing Policy statement — Building Sustainable Communities, I am reviewing the provisions of this Act with a view to strengthening their powers.

The powers of the Gardaí in dealing with this issue were recently enhanced under the provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 further supports these efforts and provides for the establishment of joint policing committees — representative of local authorities, the Gardaí, other public bodies and community interests — whose statutory function includes reviewing the level and patterns of anti-social behaviour and advising on measures to tackle such behaviour. Clearly, the issue of anti social behaviour is best addressed with by a co-ordinated response from all relevant agencies and I am fully supportive of such an approach.