Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1168.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update in relation to proposing solutions to public order and anti-social “wicked problems” through the local leadership programme which brings together local stakeholders in a structured manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35287/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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1174.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality for an update on the Anti-Social Behaviour Forum review of the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order and anti-social behaviour, including the effectiveness of anti-social behaviour orders; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[35296/24]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1168 and 1174 together.

In line with a Programme for Government commitment, an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) was established in 2020. The Forum is examining a broad range of issues with a focus on developing measures which will counteract the negative impact of ASB on community morale and quality of life. The Forum most recently met on 10 July 2024 and is scheduled to meet again in October.

The Forum has established four sub-groups. These sub-groups consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to ASB impacts on housing complexes managed by Local Authorities (LA) or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences. Similar sub-groups can be established to examine other issues as required.

Members of the Forum are drawn from a number of State agencies, including An Garda Síochána, the Probation Service and key Government Departments, as well as a broad representation of community, business, academic and other experts.

The sub-group to consider the issues of Anti-Social Behaviour that are arising within Approved Housing Bodies' accommodation complexes have completed a Local Leadership Programme (LLP) in a trial location and will be rolling out LLPs in more locations moving forward.

The recommendations of this sub-group could include possible pilot approaches to address this issue in one or more geographical areas. Officials in my Department are currently in discussions with colleagues in the Department of Housing to introduce LLPs in local authority housing estates, and to look at broader Anti-Social Behaviour issues affecting these estates.

The sub-group tasked with reviewing Garda powers has produced a policy paper with recommendations focused on offences under the Public Order Acts, but not serious crime, such as drugs and organised crime, and not low-level nuisances such as litter, graffiti, etc. for which Gardaí do not have responsibility.

On 16 May, Minister McEntee and I secured approval from Cabinet to make a number of amendments to legislation to strengthen the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) which were also recommended by the Forum.

These include lowering the minimum rank for application for an ASBO from Superintendent to allow an Inspector to apply for same, and carrying out a review of legislation regarding the 30 day time limit in which notification of an Anti-Social Behaviour Warning (ASBW) is served, with consideration to be given to options for extension.

Recommendations related to changing Garda training and policy , and to court policy and practice around ASBOs and ASBWs, were also made by the Forum. The Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána are currently in discussions to bring these proposals forward.