Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to tackle anti-social behaviour in housing estates and in particular the activities of so-called boy racers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/07]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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A number of legislative measures have been put in place to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to fulfil their responsibilities under the Housing Acts for the management and maintenance of their housing stock. These measures are kept under continuous review in my Department.

The tenancy agreement, which is the legal basis of the relationship between the local authority and its tenants, will generally contain provisions in relation to behaviour which is acceptable and that which is not. The local authority is empowered under section 62 of the Housing Act 1966, to initiate proceedings to secure an eviction where a tenant has breached the conditions of the tenancy agreement.

The primary purpose of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1997 is to provide for a range of measures to assist local authorities in addressing problems arising on their estates from drug dealing and serious anti-social behaviour. The Act gives recognition to the role of local authorities in actively promoting the interests of tenants and other occupiers in their housing estates and also in working towards the avoidance, prevention and abatement of anti-social behaviour. One of the main provisions of the 1997 Act enables a local authority tenant, or the local authority itself in certain circumstances, to apply to the District Court for an excluding order against an individual member of the household who is believed to be engaging in anti-social behaviour. The measures contained in the 1997 Act are essential to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to take effective action in this area.

In fulfilment of commitments in the housing policy statement — Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities, I am reviewing the provisions of this Act with a view to strengthening their powers.

The Residential Tenancies Act 2004 contains a number of provisions to address the issue of anti-social behaviour in private rented accommodation and also extends the local authority power to obtain excluding orders in respect of the occupants (other than the owner) of tenant purchased houses. It also provided for the local authority power to refuse to sell a house under the Tenant Purchase Scheme to a person it has reason to believe may engage in anti-social behaviour to be extended to the Shared Ownership Scheme, the 1999 Affordable Housing Scheme and affordable houses deriving from Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000.

In addition, the Centre for Housing Research, which is funded by my Department and local authorities, has produced good practice guidelines on preventing and combating anti-social behaviour. The Centre has also organised training courses for local authorities in this regard. In this wider context, my Department has put in place a Housing Management Initiative scheme, which includes funding for programmes to improve estate management, tenant liaison and training initiatives, and also supports the activities of local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour through the Sustainable Communities Fund.

In relation to the activities of so-called boy racers, it is, of course, open to local authorities to consider introducing revised road layouts and traffic calming measures in estates to counter such activities. In addition, I consider that close liaison between local authorities and An Garda Síochána is essential in addressing many types of anti-social behaviour, particularly in relation to the dangerous misuse of motor vehicles, given the criminal nature of such activities. Moreover, the Joint Policing Committees, established on a pilot basis in 29 local authorities, provide an excellent forum for members of a local authority and the senior Garda officers responsible for policing the area, together with Oireachtas members and community and voluntary interests, to consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of their community. In particular, it is the function of the Joint Policing Committees to keep under review the levels and patterns of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in their area and the underlying and contributory factors. Together with my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I am examining what lessons can be learned from the operation of the pilot and we intend to have Joint Policing Committees up and running in all local authority areas in 2008.