Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti-social behaviour orders issued to date; if he is confident that ASBOs will result in the reduction of anti-social behaviour in communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/07]

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, to the making of a behaviour order by the Children's Court.

In setting up the regime, the intention was that these warnings or good behaviour contracts would themselves address the problem behaviour. It is only if they fail that an ASBO will be applied for. In any case, it inevitably takes time to reach the stage where an ASBO itself might be sought. No significance therefore should be attached to the fact that the stage has not yet been reached in the process where ASBOs have been issued. Where warnings or good behaviour contracts do not succeed in altering a person's behaviour, however, they will culminate in ASBOs being sought by the Garda authorities from the courts. I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 30 November 2007, 383 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 125 to children.

Among the priorities which the Minister has determined in accordance with the Garda Síochána Acts for An Garda Síochána for 2008 is combating, particularly in cooperation with other agencies and the community generally, the problems of public disorder with particular emphasis on alcohol-related behaviour (including underage drinking) and socially disadvantaged communities especially through utilisation of the legal mechanisms being made available, such as these provisions and closure orders under liquor licensing legislation.

All members of An Garda Síochána proactively target public disorder and anti-social behaviour. Areas subject to such behaviour have been identified as "hot-spots" by local Garda management and additional foot and mobile patrols are directed to these areas during times when these offences are more likely to occur. All such incidents, detected by members on patrol or reported to An Garda Síochána, are dealt with immediately, and the suspected offenders are dealt with in accordance with the law. I recognise, as does every member of the House and all public representatives, that while anti-social behaviour is at the less serious end of the spectrum of criminality, it can cause great distress to communities as a whole and individuals in particular, especially the elderly and more vulnerable. I wish to assure the Deputy that we will continue to take all measures which are open to us to address this issue.