John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1065: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders given to date in the Dublin metropolitan area. [20937/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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.

With regard to both adult and children, a behaviour warning remains in place for three months from date of issue. With regard to children specifically, a good behaviour contract lasts for six months, but may be renewed for a further three months. The approach which the legislation adopts is to make every effort for the child and his or her parents or guardian to address the child's behavioural problems in a way that minimises contact with the criminal justice system. The Act ensures that there is full parental involvement at all relevant stages. It is therefore highly unlikely that a Garda officer would apply for a civil order or a behaviour order before the end of these periods.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 145 behaviour warnings have been issued in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) in the first eight months of 2007. There was one good behaviour contract issued in the DMR in this period.

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1066: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders given to date in Clondalkin and Lucan, County Dublin. [20938/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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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, the first step of which is the issue of a behaviour warning by a member of An Garda Síochána, which remains in place for three months from the date of issue.

A behaviour warning allows the person who is subject of the warning, and where appropriate parents and guardians, to address the behavioural problem which resulted in the warning to be issued, so that the issue of a civil order (in the case of an adult) or a behaviour order (in the case of a child) is not necessary.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 31 behaviour warnings have been issued in the Clondalkin Garda District and 2 in the Lucan Garda District in the first eight months of 2007.