Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 474: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders issued in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in respect of adults and young people; his views on whether this legislation is effective; if it is envisaged that the number of orders will be increased in view of the recent rise in anti-social behaviour in both counties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27296/07]

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's Court.

In setting up this regime, the intention was that these warnings or good behaviour contracts would themselves address the problem behaviour. It is only if they fail that a civil order (in the case of an adult) or a behaviour order (in the case of a child) would be applied for by An Garda Síochána.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 30 September, 2007, 264 behaviour warnings have been issued to adults and 80 behaviour warnings to children. Where these do not succeed in altering a person's behaviour, they will culminate in An Garda Síochána applying to the courts for an order.

During this period the Carlow/Kildare Garda Division, which includes Carlow Garda District, issued 16 behaviour warnings to adults and two to children. The Waterford/Kilkenny Garda Division, which includes the Kilkenny and Thomastown Garda Districts, issued seven behaviour warnings to adults and three to children in the same period.

Figures are provisional, operational and liable to change.