Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on setting up a programme whereby members of the Garda visit schools on a regular basis to discuss the issue of anti-social behaviour with the students; his further views on whether this type of programme would result in a reduction in incidents of anti-social behaviour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4715/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the deployment of Garda resources is a matter for the Garda Commissioner. It is widely accepted that anti-social behaviour can result in children coming into contact with the criminal justice system and it is therefore important that efforts are made to prevent such behaviour. To this end, the Garda Primary Schools Programme was established in 1991 and is a comprehensive education programme targeting 5th class pupils in primary schools throughout the country. The programme focuses on the safety of children in every aspect of their lives. Sensible and reasonable patterns of behaviour are discussed with each class in order that they may:

Lessen the risks they face through crime

Be safer on the roads and at home

Positively contribute towards Crime Prevention

Know what the role of the Gardaí is

Develop positive attitudes towards the Gardaí and the work they do

Anti-social behaviour issues are discussed under the appropriate topics. At a secondary level, the Garda Secondary Schools Programme has been designed in conjunction with the Social, Personal & Health Education syllabus of the Department of Education and Science. As part of this programme, trained Gardaí co-facilitate classes in two particular modules of the Social, Personal & Health Education Course with particular emphasis on personal safety and substance abuse. The personal safety module includes discussion on anti-social behaviour issues.

It is important that children and young adults are aware of crime and anti-social behaviour and their effects on society. Accordingly, the work of these programmes in both primary and secondary schools makes an important contribution towards reducing criminal and anti-social behaviour amongst young people.