Written Answers - Anti-Social Behaviour Orders Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Dáil Éireann Debate Vol. 714 No. 4 Page of 502

  353.  Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin      asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform      the number of anti-social behaviour orders that have been issued each year since the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29466/10]

Minister for Justice and Law Reform (Deputy Dermot Ahern):    Part 11 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which provides for civil proceedings in relation to anti-social behaviour by adults, was commenced on 1 January, 2007. Part 13 of the Act, which relates to anti-social behaviour by children, was commenced on 1 March, 2007. These provisions set out an incremental procedure for addressing anti-social behaviour by adults and children. With regard to adults, these include a behaviour warning and the making of a civil order by the court. With regard to children, they range from a warning from a member of An Garda Síochána, to a good behaviour contract involving the child and his or her parents or guardian, to referral to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme and finally to the making of a behaviour order by the Children Court.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that, up to 31 May, 2010, 1,804 behaviour warnings have been issued to adults and 1,324 to children. Thirteen good behaviour contracts have been issued to children. Four civil orders (in respect of adults) and three behaviour orders (in respect of children) have been issued by the courts.

In setting up the regime the intention was that interventions short of a court order would address the problem behaviour. If they succeed, there will be no need to apply to the courts. It is only if they fail to lead to a behaviour adjustment by the person in question, that a court order will be applied for.

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Last Updated: 22/04/2011 14:56:08

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