Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to combat anti-social behaviour throughout County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18318/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I attach a high priority to the combating of anti-social behaviour. One of the priorities set for An Garda Síochána under section 20 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 is addressing anti-social behaviour and behaviour adversely affecting the quality of life of communities, with particular emphasis on alcohol related behaviour. To this end An Garda Síochána are driving forward the establishment of interagency activities against anti-social behaviour, including the deployment of CCTV in urban areas. In addition, they are identifying local public order and anti-social behaviour hot spots and developing responsive actions and plans. The measures outlined in the Programme for Government to tackle anti-social behaviour will be introduced.

I can inform the Deputy that strong provisions are in place to combat anti-social behaviour. The primary basis for the law regarding public order offences is the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, which modernised the law in this regard. Furthermore, because of concerns about the abuse of alcohol and its contribution to public order offending and broader social problems, provisions were brought forward to deal with alcohol abuse and its effect on public order in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003. The Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 2003 has also been enacted, the main purpose of which is to provide the Garda Síochána with additional powers to deal with late night street violence and anti-social conduct attributable to excessive drinking. Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act relating to anti-social behaviour by children was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. With regard to children, these range from a warning from a member of An Garda Síochána, to a good behaviour contract involving the child and his or her parents or guardian, to referral to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme and to the making of a behaviour order by the Children Court. The Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme provides an opportunity to divert juvenile offenders from criminal activity and includes a restorative justice aspect. It operates on a nationwide basis under the supervision and direction of the Garda National Juvenile Office. The Programme provides that, in certain circumstances, a juvenile under 18 years of age, who freely accepts responsibility for a criminal incident, may be cautioned as an alternative to prosecution. In the more serious cases, juveniles are placed under the supervision of Garda Juvenile Liaison Officers, who are responsible for administering the Programme at the local level. It has proven to be highly successful in diverting young people away from crime by offering guidance and support to juveniles and their families.

The Children Act, 2001, which became law in May 2002, gives a statutory basis to the Programme. In addition to the Juvenile Diversion Programme, there are 84 Garda Youth Diversion Projects throughout the country. Garda Youth Diversion Projects are a crime prevention initiative which adopt a multi-agency partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour at community level. Proposals for new Garda Youth Diversion Projects are currently under consideration by my Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. It is intended to establish a further 16 projects before the end of 2007, bringing the total number of projects to 100 nationwide. I expect to make an announcement shortly regarding the locations of the new projects.

In January of this year, a new Garda Youth Diversion Project was announced for Celbridge, Co. Kildare. This project is currently in the early stages of establishment and should be actively running by the end of 2007. A proposal has been received for the establishment of a new Garda Youth Diversion Project in the Curragh, Co. Kildare. This proposal is currently being considered by my Department in conjunction with An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee (JPC) in each local authority administrative area. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where members of a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for the policing of that area, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area including the levels and patterns of anti-social behaviour such as the misuse of alcohol and drugs. There are currently 22 committees established as part of a pilot project, including one in Athy, Co. Kildare, with a further seven being established. It is intended to establish JPCs in all local authority areas by early 2008. I am convinced that the work of these committees will make a significant contribution to reducing anti-social behaviour.

The Programme for Government provides for an increase in Garda numbers to 15,000 by 2010 and 16,000 by 2012. I am determined that the additional Gardaí being recruited under the current historically high expansion of the Force will be deployed to frontline, visible and effective policing duties. Operation Encounter, which commenced in February, 2002, targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour by specifically targeting offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1988, which includes provisions on the sale to and consumption of alcohol by underage persons. Local Garda management within the Carlow/Kildare Division have identified areas subject to such behaviour and have directed additional foot and mobile patrols during such times when such offences are more likely to occur. Current policing policy in the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division is predicated on the prevention of public order offences, 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. This strategy will continue to be central to the delivery of a policing service to the area.