Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 578: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he proposes to take to combat anti-social behaviour in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14431/08]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 580: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps that will be taken to combat anti-social behaviour in each town throughout County Kildare having particular regard to the increased population and demands on Garda resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14433/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 578 and 580 together.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Encounter, which commenced in February, 2002, targets public disorder and anti-social behaviour by specifically targeting offences contrary to the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 and the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, which includes provisions on the sale to and consumption of alcohol by underage persons. Local Garda management within the Carlow/Kildare Division have identified areas subject to such behaviour and have directed additional foot and mobile patrols during such times when such offences are more likely to occur.

I am further informed that the personnel strength of the Carlow/Kildare Division was 402 on 29 February, 2008, compared with 333 on 28 February, 2006. This represents an increase of 21%. As a result, the number of uniformed members has been increased in all areas in County Kildare in recent years. An unprecedented increase in the strength of the Garda Síochána is continuing in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, with an intake of approximately 1,100 recruits per annum. In addition, there is a significant expansion under way in the number of civilian staff being made available to the Commissioner.

One of the priorities which I set out for An Garda Síochána in 2008 was to increase the level of high-visibility patrols. The Gardaí have found that one of the most effective ways of doing this is the Garda Mountain Bike Unit. This was introduced on a pilot basis in 2001 and since that time the Unit has expanded nationwide. During 2007 and early 2008 bicycle patrols have been introduced in the towns of Kildare, Newbridge, Maynooth, Celbridge and Naas. Uniformed Gardaí utilise official pedal cycles to patrol estates, green areas and other areas where groups congregate. The bicycle patrols coupled with foot patrols are ensuring that any problem behaviour which occurs in public areas is detected and dealt with in accordance with the law in an efficient and effective manner. Additional Gardaí have also been allocated to neighbourhood policing projects. There are currently four community Gardaí in Naas. By-laws concerning the consumption and control of alcohol bye laws are currently in existence in respect of most towns in County Kildare. These bye laws are a major deterrent to anti-social behaviour and drinking in public places.

There are 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects throughout the country. Garda Youth Diversion Projects are a crime prevention initiative which adopts a multi-agency partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour at community level. The Government has pledged to ensure there are a total of 168 projects in operation by the end of the current Programme for Government, 2007-2013. There are currently two projects operating in Kildare, one in Celbridge and one in the Curragh.

The Garda Síochána Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a joint policing committee in each local authority administrative area. The purpose of these committees is to provide a forum where members of a local authority and senior Garda officers, with the participation of Oireachtas members and community interests, can consult, discuss and make recommendations on matters affecting the policing of the area. There are currently 29 Committees in operation in a pilot phase, including one in Athy, Co. Kildare, to gain experience before rolling the committees out to all local authority areas in the State. In general the outcome to date has been positive and the committees are meeting definite local needs. Guidelines are currently being drafted which will enable roll-out of the committees to take place, and I intend that this will occur at an early date.

The 2008 Garda Annual Policing Plan, which I have approved and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, sets out the Commissioner's proposals to realign the boundaries of Garda Divisions to make them more coterminous with local authority boundaries. These proposals include the establishment of a Garda Division in Kildare. The planned changes will bring about greater efficiencies and effectiveness in facilitating the establishment and functioning of joint policing committees. A detailed programme of work is currently being developed by An Garda Síochána to implement these planned changes for various Garda Divisions. This programme of work will also examine the geographical areas of district and sub-district stations arising from the regional and divisional boundary realignments set out in the plan and will set out a timetable for the establishment of the new divisions.