Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of acceptable behaviour contracts that have been agreed since the commencement of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22966/07]

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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 202 behaviour warnings have issued to adults up to 31 August, 2007 and 59 behaviour warnings issued to children in the same period.

I am further informed by the Garda authorities that there have been two formal good behaviour contracts, which are used only in the case of children, agreed up to 30 September, 2007.

Some inaccurate conclusions have been drawn from the fact no ASBOs have yet been applied for by the Garda authorities. In setting up the regime, the intention was that behaviour warnings or good behaviour contracts would address the problem behaviour. It is only if they fail that an ASBO will be applied for.