Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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151. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the economic cost of alcohol-related crime and the estimated overall economic cost of crime; if she will provide information on the cost, in terms of juveniles and adult criminal activity; initiatives being taken to address this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38891/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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A composite estimate of the overall economic cost of crime, or how it might be attributed according to crime category along the lines sought by the Deputy, is not readily available. Insofar as my Department is concerned, however, I can inform the Deputy that the gross expenditure associated with the operation of An Garda Síochána, the Prisons and Courts Services as well as other services related to crime and criminal justice was in the region of €2bn in 2014. This figure does not include the cost to the State of other response services, for example in the area of health and social services, or the direct cost to the State of theft or of losses arising from customs and other fraud, nor does it include the wider costs to society, which are undoubtedly substantial.

Insofar as alcohol related crime is concerned, it is widely accepted that alcohol plays a part in many crime situations, including road traffic offences and the Deputy will be aware of the extensive awareness raising and enforcement activities which are pursued in this regard. Alcohol can also be a contributing factor in many assault and public order offences and a range of legislative provisions are available to An Garda Síochána in order to address such criminal and anti-social behaviour, and to bring criminal proceedings where appropriate. These include measures under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Acts and the Intoxicating Liquor Acts. In particular, the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 gave particular powers to Gardaí to tackle misuse of alcohol, including the power to seize alcohol in the possession of persons under 18 years of age of to forestall public disorder or damage to property. Gardaí may also issue fixed charge notices for the offences of intoxication in a public place and disorderly conduct in a public place. Where young offenders are involved Gardaí may employ a range of options including the incremental system of warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour provided under the Criminal Justice Act 2006, as well as the diversionary measures provided under the Children Act 2001.

More generally, Garda management employ relevant policing strategies to take account of the incidence of crime, including alcohol related crimes. In this context Gardaí also engage extensively with many community and business groups in relation to issues of local concern as well as participating in formal consultative structures such as Joint Policing Committees.