Naomi Long

Justice minister Naomi Long is seeking views from the public on the repeal of section 4 of the Vagrancy Act 1824, which criminalises rough sleeping, and section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, which criminalises begging.

The consultation asks whether repeal of this legislation will leave any significant gaps in the criminal law, taking into account the range of other offences available to deal with public disorder, disorderly behaviour and harassment in public places.

Mrs Long said: “I do not believe it is appropriate to criminalise people who are simply begging but who are not otherwise behaving in a way that would attract criminal sanction.

“I am fully aware that begging and rough sleeping are often linked to underlying issues, such as poverty, alcohol and drug addiction, poor mental health, sexual and domestic abuse, and family breakdown.

“These are complex and cross-cutting issues which require a multi-agency response of support rather than criminalising people under arcane laws simply because of their personal circumstances.”

The Department of Justice said it is particularly keen to hear from key stakeholders, including those involved in the delivery of health and social care and organisations within the voluntary and community sector which provide support to people begging or sleeping rough.