Written answers

Tuesday, 25 January 2011

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Public Order Offences

8:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of behaviour warnings that were issued to adults; the number of behaviour warnings issued to children; the number of good behaviour contracts that were created in respect of children; the number of civil orders that were issued in respect of adults; the number of behaviour warnings that were issued in respect of children for the year 2009 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3387/11]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, 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, which relates 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 finally to the making of a behaviour order by the Children Court. With regard to adults, they include a warning and the making of a civil order by the court.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that 487 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 436 to children in 2009. One good behaviour contract was made in respect of a child. No civil orders (in respect of adults) or behaviour orders (in respect of children) were issued by the courts in the year.

In setting up the regime in the Act the intention was that the different interventions would address the problem behaviour. If they succeeded, there would be no need to apply to the courts for an order. It is only if they failed to lead to a behaviour adjustment by the person in question, that a court order would be applied for.

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 294: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the number of cases arising out of non-compliance of civil orders or behavioural orders that came before the courts in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3388/11]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the administration and management of the courts is a matter for the Courts Service under the Courts Service Act 1998. The functions of the Service include the provision of information on the courts system. However, I understand that the information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and its compilation would require a disproportionate amount of courts staff time and resources.

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