246. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she will carry out a health impact assessment on the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; the planning that has taken place to ensure that there are adequate resources across a number of areas (details supplied); the additional funding that will be made available in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51713/23]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: My Department has engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022. More than 5,000 responses were received. These included responses from Alcohol Action Ireland; Ballymun Local Drugs and Alcohol Task Force; The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland; The Health Service Executive Alcohol Programme; Institute of Public Health; Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network and National Suicide Research Foundation.

My Department continues to have ongoing engagement with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and other stakeholders in respect of the Bill.

In addition, a webinar and panel discussion event was held on 10 March 2022. The consultation process demonstrated that there is a strong demand for reform and modernisation of the law in this area.

In January 2023, the Bill underwent pre-legislative scrutiny. Presentations were made at this by Alcohol Action Ireland, the Institute of Public Health and the Irish Community Action on Alcohol Network made presentations to the Committee.

My Department will continue to work with all stakeholders in developing the Bill. We are committed to considering potential health impacts which these bodies have highlighted throughout this process and can assure you that public health is a factor for the Department when considering the introduction of reforms with regard to the sale of alcohol. However, the Department of Justice has no role in resourcing for emergency departments, public transport, local authority cleaning services etc.

My Department continues to engage with An Garda Síochána in relation to the Sale of Alcohol Bill to ensure that it contains a full suite of enforcement powers to meet their policing needs. The Government is committed to taking action to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. Budget 2024 provides a budget of €2.3 billion to An Garda Síochána, which is a 23% increase since 2020. This is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment, facilities and vehicles.

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Dáil Éireann debate. Question 247 – Legislative measures [51714/23]

247. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to put a system in place to monitor changes in the night time economy and collate data for future reviews following enactment of the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51714/23]

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice: The General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill intends to modernise permitted opening hours, in line with the expectations and needs of today’s society and encourage the development of a modern and diverse night-time economy. The proposed legislation endeavours to strike a balance between maintaining strict controls and safeguards while providing much needed support to those involved in our night-time culture and economy.

The Department of Justice participates in the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which is administered by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The taskforce conducts intensive and ongoing stakeholder engagement with all relevant sectors and interested parties who have a significant role and interest in progressing the development of a vibrant and diverse night-time economy. This is to ensure that all views and ideas are considered in every aspect of this work, including the reform and modernisation of licensing laws. The taskforce will keep developments in the night-time economy under review.

My Department will continue to work with the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Implementation Group and key stakeholders operating in the Night-Time Economy to guage the impact of changes to licensing following the enactment of the proposed Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022.

The Department also engaged in an extensive consultation process with representative bodies in the licensed trade, businesses, public health bodies and advocacy groups, consumers and communities in relation to the proposed legislation. A public consultation, including an online survey and a request for submissions, ran from November 2021 until January 2022, where more than 5,000 responses were received. In addition, a webinar and panel discussion event was held on 10 March 2022.

While work on this Bill is progressing, it is my intention to bring forward, in the coming months, a shorter Bill to provide for key reforms including a Cultural Amenity Licence. The Cultural Amenity Licence is aimed at supporting the reinvigoration and expansion our night time economy sector in order to provide more diverse offerings reflective of contemporary Irish society.

My Department is actively working with colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in relation to cultural amenity licences, and in particular, definitions, processes, standards and parameters of these licences and how they will operate within the sector.