Written answers

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Department of Justice and Equality

Anti-Social Behaviour

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued under the Criminal Justice Act 2006 each year since 2007 and to date in 2012; the age profile of those that have been issued anti social behaviour orders; the type and level of offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44254/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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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 up to 30 September 2012, 3,698 behaviour warnings were issued to adults and 2,242 to children. Fifteen good behaviour contracts were made in respect of a child. In addition, four civil orders (in respect of adults) and three behaviour orders (in respect of children) have been issued by the courts.

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.

I am further informed that three of the four orders issued in respect of adults related to persons aged between 20 and 30 and one related to a person aged between 40 and 50. The three orders issued to children related to persons aged between 14 and 17 inclusive.

I am also informed that the majority of offences for which behaviour warnings or orders are issued appear to arise from complaints of nuisance made to An Garda Síochána. This includes unruly gatherings, causing disturbance to local residents and failing to comply with lawful requests to desist from such behaviour. In relation to adults, many offences relate to noise, disturbance and offensive behaviour, which are frequently alcohol related.

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