Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons charged with anti-social behaviour in each Garda division and subdivision throughout the country in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the nature or extent of the penalty applied in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16900/11]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of incidents of alleged anti-social behaviour lodged at each Garda station throughout the country in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the extent to which prosecution took place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16901/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.

Following the submission in 2004 of a report and recommendations by an expert group on crime statistics, it was decided that the compilation and publication of crime statistics should be taken over by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, from An Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána Act 2005 consequently makes provision for this and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. The CSO recorded crime statistics, which are published quarterly and annually, provide figures on offences recorded by An Garda Síochána, including incidences of anti-social behaviour such as public disorder and criminal damage. Following the setting up of the necessary technical systems and auditing of the data from which the statistics are compiled, the CSO is now compiling, publishing and responding to queries regarding recorded crime statistics.

I have requested the CSO to provide statistics directly to the Deputy.

Incidents of public disorder and anti-social behaviour reported to the Garda authorities are the subject of investigation and dealt with appropriately, including by juvenile or adult caution, fixed charge penalty notices or initiating criminal proceedings. Any persons found engaging in such behaviour will be dealt with appropriately in accordance the law.