Minister for Justice Michael McDowell said he did not accept social deprivation led to people painting graffiti on walls.
"I do not accept that frustration at the lack of amenities leads a person to purchase various cans of spray paint, to spend a night mapping out his or her proposed work of graffiti and to return to complete it on another occasion," he added.
"I do not think this represents a cry for help regarding the provision of more swimming pools. I do not accept that proposition." Mr McDowell said that his experience had been that even in well-policed areas, those who termed themselves "graffiti artists", whom he would call "graffiti vandals", would carry out their work.
Mr McDowell was replying to Green Party spokesman Ciarán Cuffe, who suggested he might consider making available suitable places for young people to express their artistic skills.
"The interior of the former Blackrock baths is the location of some fine artistic expression. This encapsulates the problem, namely, that a public amenity, controlled by the local authority, is lying derelict," he added.
"In this instance, the young people are simply giving vent to their frustration regarding the lack of amenities being provided for them." Mr McDowell said that primary responsibility for cleaning up graffiti rested with local authorities under the Litter Pollution Act 1997.
He added that earlier this year, his department, in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, initiated a pilot project, the GRO initiative, aimed at combating graffiti in Dublin city, Galway city and Bray, Co Wicklow.
He said the initiative involved an initial major clean-up, followed by a cleaning maintenance programme.
