Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to combat anti-social behaviour, including enhancing the use of anti-social behaviour warnings and anti-social behaviour orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12739/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Anti-social behaviour can have a very damaging impact on the quality of life of our communities.

Anti-social behaviour is a broad term often used to describe a range of actions and behaviours that violate social norms in specific contexts.

Legislation allows members of An Garda Síochána to issue Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings to adults and children and allows for senior members of An Garda Síochána to apply for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders before the District Court. A senior member of An Garda Síochána means a member of An Garda Síochána not below the rank of Superintendent.

A number of actions are contained in the Programme for Government to reduce instances of anti-social behaviour and help people to be safe and feel safe in their local communities, including a commitment to enact legislation to combat anti-social behaviour, including enhancing the use of Anti-Social Behaviour Warnings (ASBWs) and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs). Work to progress these commitments has commenced.

From An Garda Síochána's perspective, a long-term strategic approach to anti-social behaviour in communities assists in addressing potential problems before they arise. Collaboration between An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities, community leaders and groups can facilitate solutions to problems associated with anti-social behaviour. This joint response can incorporate the well-known S.A.R.A. Model (Scan, Analyse, Respond, Assess) which looks to identify and overcome the underlying causes of crime and disorder instead of treating the symptoms.

The government are committed to tackling the scourge of anti-social behaviour and crime to build safer streets and stronger communities through a number of ongoing measures, including:

• The deployment of body-worn cameras for Gardaí in Dublin City Centre, Waterford, and Limerick in 2024, with nationwide roll-out to follow;
• The introduction of Local Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop tailored Community Safety Plans for every area;
• Continued expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures;
• New laws which criminalise the grooming of children into a life of crime;
• Providing the funding necessary to strengthen the equipment available to An Garda Síochána for public order policing, including the deployment of tasers and stronger incapacitant spray;
• Proposing solutions to public order and anti-social “wicked problems” through the Local Leadership Programme which brings together local stakeholders in a structured manner.