Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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1562. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department will support efforts to address rising crime and anti-social behaviour in an area (detailed supplied). [19320/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the principle that everyone, wherever they live in Ireland, should be safe and feel safe. Building safe and secure communities across the country by investing in An Garda Síochána is a top priority in the Programme for Government. I want every part of the country to be a safe space for people to live and work in, and the Clongriffin area in Dublin 13 is no exception to this.

Anti-social behaviour is a broad term often used to describe a range of actions and behaviours that violate social norms in specific contexts. I am conscious of the very damaging impact on the quality of life it can have in our communities.

The Government is 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 enhance 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.

The Parkside estate in Clongriffin falls within the responsibility of Superintendent, Community Engagement Functional Area (CEFA), Coolock Garda Station, DMR North Division. The Superintendent and his team are aware of issues relating to an anti-social behaviour in the Parkside estate in Clongriffin.

In response, local Garda management have instituted routine patrols through mobile, beat and bicycle patrols to alleviate this type of criminality in specific areas identified as experiencing public disorder and in areas identified as anti-social behaviour hot-spots.

An Garda Síochána are very active in the Parkside area and a Neighbourhood Watch group has been operating in conjunction with residents and An Garda Síochána since March 2024. An Garda Síochána works closely with the chair of this Neighbourhood Watch scheme. Garda members from the Community Policing Unit also continue to engage with local schools by giving talks to students about the consequences of criminal behaviour.

Superintendent CEFA, Coolock Garda Station established a temporary Community Response Team on 17 February 2025, with 6 Garda members of different ranks. This unit is responsible for maintaining an active presence in the Darndale, Clongriffin and Belmayne areas, and will support the work of existing Community Policing Units.

This unit has had a number of successes in recent weeks and extensive investigations have identified youths involved in anti-social behaviour in these areas, with the intention of mitigating against such activity and bringing any offenders to justice. These investigations have resulted in a number of detentions under Operation Anise Dawn.

On 14 April 2025, at the request of Superintendent CEFA, Coolock Garda Station, a meeting was held in Dublin City Council offices, Bunratty Road, where representatives of the Clongriffin, Belmayne and Parkside areas were in attendance. Members of the temporary Community Response Team and the Community Policing Unit were also present at this meeting.

This meeting was called to discuss a range of matters, but specifically in relation to the increase in anti-social behaviour in the Clongriffin and Belmayne areas, including Parkside. Superintendent CEFA, Coolock Garda Station provided an update into how the local policing plans are implemented, and encouraged for all criminal matters and "calls for service" to be reported immediately through the 999 System. Local representatives acknowledged that there has been a significant increase in patrols and high visibility in the areas over the past number of months, which has been effective and will continue.