Antisocial behaviour in housing
Deputy Durkan raised escalating antisocial behaviour, especially affecting lone and female-headed households, and called for stronger warnings and local authority action. The Minister of State said the Department of Justice antisocial behaviour forum was examining the issue and possible legislative strengthening.
I raise the question of antisocial behaviour, which is increasing to an alarming extent, with all-female and lone-occupant households being particular victims. This type of bullying takes various forms, for instance, playing loud music long into the night when people who have been at work during the day expect to be able to relax and get a night’s sleep. I ask that local authorities be contacted with a view to ensuring that people with a history of antisocial behaviour are warned when they have the luck of being awarded houses.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for this question. The antisocial behaviour forum that I established in the Department of Justice is considering such behaviour within housing estates and how we can strengthen laws around that core issue.