Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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313. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered increased liaison with the business community, Maynooth University, an organisation (details supplied) and the wider community following issues in respect of night time anti-social behaviour in Maynooth, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43325/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the allocation of all Garda resources, including personnel, is solely a matter for the Garda Commissioner and his management team and I have no direct role in this regard. However, I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána continue to regard all forms of anti-social behaviour very seriously.

Working with communities to tackle public disorder and reduce anti-social behaviour is a key priority for An Garda Síochána. 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. I might add that there is a range of strong legislative provisions available to 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, in Part 11, for warnings and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults and, in Part 13 of the Act, for warnings, good behaviour contracts and civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by children.

I can inform the Deputy that officials from my Department are currently liaising and meeting with a number of Garda Business Forums around the country, to support local crime prevention initiatives and to assist with the development of policy to tackle issues such as vandalism and night time anti-social behaviour. This process will continue into next year, and in that regard I have requested that contact is made by my officials with the local crime prevention officer in Maynooth.

If the organisations in question have any specific proposals they would like to make in relation to combatting anti-social behaviour, I would be happy to make arrangements for the proposals to be brought to the attention of An Garda Síochána.