Written answers

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Department of Justice and Equality

Anti-Social Behaviour

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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380. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the options open to residents in County Louth living with anti-social behaviour; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4868/15]

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the first step that anyone should take in relation to concerns about anti-social behaviour is to contact their local Gardai. In this regard, An Garda Síochána continue to implement a range of strategies based on existing legislation and enhancing partnerships with local communities in County Louth and elsewhere.

A range of strong legislative provisions are available to an An Garda Síochána to combat anti-social behaviour, including provisions under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts, the Criminal Damage Act and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. There are also the incremental provisions contained in the Criminal Justice Act 2006 which provide for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and Part 13 of the Act which provide for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.

The National Model of Community Policing is directed and supported each year by the Garda Síochána Annual Policing Plan which underlines the importance of community based policing. An Garda Síochána continue to tackle public disorder and anti-social behaviour by working with communities and business groups, including the hospitality industry, to reduce this type of behaviour and enhance community safety. This approach includes a strong focus on quality of life issues and collaboration with local authorities to help address the causes of anti-social behaviour.

In addition, new Garda Community Crime Prevention Guidelines, which build on the work of existing partnership programmes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Community Alert, were published in January 2013. The guidelines give information and advice to help establish new community "watch" groups and also to revitalise existing groups where necessary. My Department continues to provide funding for the Community Alert programme, administered by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Gardaí, which supports the operation of over 1,300 local groups. An Garda Síochána also supports the operation of approximately 2,500 Neighbourhood Watch groups countrywide.

Furthermore, the Garda Text Alert Scheme, which was developed with the support of Muintir na Tíre, Neighbourhood Watch and the Irish Farmers Association, was introduced in September 2013 and has developed very successfully with in excess of 500 local groups involving over 100,000 subscribers. The scheme provides an additional and effective means for Gardaí to distribute crime prevention information and advice and there are in the region of 200,000 text messages sent under the scheme each month.

In August last year, I published new guidelines for the operation of Joint Policing Committees (JPCs) which have an important role in supporting local community policing partnerships. The new JPC guidelines emphasise the need to enhance communication between JPCs, which have a strategic co-ordinating role, and the full range of local and community based fora which can contribute to improving community safety and supporting effective policing responses.

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