Anti-social behaviour is having a huge impact on residents in local authority housing estates and action must be taken immediately to protect those affected, according to Senator Nicky McFadden.
The Fine Gael Seanad spokesperson on social and family affairs made her comments during the Seanad debate on the Housing (Misc ) Provisions Bill 2008, which will address how local authorities deal with anti-social behaviour.
“Some local authorities are at pains to support residents who are trying to live their lives in neighbourhoods where there is little or no regard for housing," she said. "While the State is absolved from any obligation to house those who have been engaged in anti-social behaviour, and can evict them, it is my understanding that this is very rarely the case.
“I represent a number of local authority housing and residents’ associations that are currently attempting to cope with residents who are wreaking havoc and threatening the entire estate."
Senator McFadden welcomed the provision in the bill that deals with the misuse or sale of drugs, which she said was the kernel of anti-social behaviour in many cases.
"It is regrettable, however, that the bill does not address the issue of those who loiter in housing estates, attempting to procure drugs," she added.
“If anti-social behaviour is allowed to go unchecked, entire housing estates can become dilapidated at the hands of a small number of individuals.
"In his document the Minister of State referred to the issue of ‘residualisation’ which is a process whereby a number of people move out of a neighbourhood because it is no longer desirable. This happens when local authorities and private landlords neither care for nor respect the families in an estate. In order to avoid ‘residualisation’ community resources, amenities, and services for families must be put in place without delay.”
