Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 846: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of anti social behaviour orders that have been successfully implemented in each year since their implementation by Garda divisions (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27613/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, 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.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that up to 31 May, 2008 no behaviour warnings have been issued or good behaviour contracts agreed in the Garda Districts referred to by the Deputy in Wexford/Wicklow. In the Limerick Garda District referred to six behaviour warnings have been issued to adults and six to children and two good behaviour contracts, which apply only to children, have been agreed.

I am further informed that no civil or behaviour orders have been issued by the courts upon application by the Garda Síochána.

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 a court order will be applied for. In any case, it inevitably takes time to reach the stage where a court order 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 a court order has been issued. Where warnings or good behaviour contracts do not succeed in altering a person's behaviour, however, they will culminate in a court order being sought by the Garda authorities from the courts.