Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:1185. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Justice the funding provided by her Department to programmes designed to tackle the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. [35464/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMonday, 9 September 2024
Ceisteanna (1185)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, in line with a Programme for Government commitment, I established an Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) 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 has established four sub-groups to consider the specific issues of the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes, knife crime, responses to ASB impacts on housing complexes managed by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), and to review the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
Other sub-groups may be established to tackle specific issues as required.
I can inform the Deputy that funding has been provided by my Department to Youth Diversion Projects for the community based approach to tackling misuse of scramblers and similar vehicles arising from the recommendations of the Forum. €190,000 was allocated in 2022, and a further €190,000 in 2023. For 2024, almost €149,000 in funding has been allocated.
My Department welcomes additional applications from other YDPs and is working with a number to support them in developing additional local scrambler initiatives.