Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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650. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the progress that has been made to date in putting in place a multi-agency structure to progress a plan to tackle the causes and consequences of the recent seriously anti-social behaviour in Cherry Orchard. [51296/22]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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651. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her views on whether there needs to be a long-term sustainable plan drawn up and a multi-agency structure put in place in order to tackle the causes and consequences of the serious increase in anti-social behaviour in Cherry Orchard. [51297/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 650 and 651 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, investigating and responding to any criminal activity, or concerns about criminal activity, is by law an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I cannot intervene in or comment on any operational matter, or on the allocation of Garda resources.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that, in response to a number of incidents in the Cherry Orchard and Ballyfermot area earlier this year, local Garda management immediately enhanced their high visibility policing presence together with the support and assistance of the DMR Regional Garda Public Order Unit (GNPOU) over the course of a number of weekends. This high visibility has continued to date.

I am also advised that earlier this year Garda management implemented and has continued a high profile policing presence plan to reassure the community and to secure confidence in policing in the area. This policing plan includes:

- Additional high visibility pedal cycle patrols in the environs of the local shopping area;

-Additional mobile presence in the community;

-Support of the Regional and Divisional Roads Policing unit;

-Increased armed presence through patrolling by the Regional Support Unit and Armed Support Units;

-Patrols of open areas and the canal by the Garda Mounted units;

-Operation Préachán is also in operation since 20 August 2022, and focuses on tackling car related crime and anti-social behaviour.

Meetings have taken place between Dublin City Council and various local stakeholders, including a meeting between my Department, Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána to look at the existing plans and structures in the area and build on those structures to deliver a safer environment for those living in the Cherry Orchard area.

The unprecedented funding of more than €2 billion for An Garda Síochána allocated in Budget 2023 reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring our communities are safe and that An Garda Síochána has the resources to be an effective, visible and proactive policing service.

A key strand in tackling anti-social behaviour is the new Local Community Safety Partnerships scheme which is currently being piloted. The Programme is designed to identify the issues causing communities to feel unsafe and to address them collaboratively. One of three pilot schemes is located in Dublin's North Inner City, and is chaired by Cormac Ó Donnchú.

An additional allocation of €6.7m was provided in Budget 2022 and another €2.5m  in 2023 to ensure the delivery of key objectives in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021 - 2027, which was launched in April 2021. One particular objective of this strategy is the expansion and deepening of the services offered to young people by the Youth Diversion Projects, which are fully funded by my Department.