Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)

I represent Dublin South-Central, a constituency in the south-west inner city that is the most socially and economically disadvantaged in the country. If one overlays a socio-economic map on a geographic map of Ireland, the constituency of Dublin South-Central is the darkest area on the map. When I began my Dáil career in 1997 it was black, now it is purple and I hope it will change to a bright sunshine yellow, with all disadvantage eliminated. I am hoping for a utopian society and all Members of this House and the Government strive towards this end. Deputy Lynch stated that people have major needs but I believe they also have great expectations. Members of the Oireachtas, including the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, face a major challenge and over the past ten years the Government has been meeting this challenge.

During the drugs scourge in Dublin South-Central, heroin was rampant and everyone feared travelling across Dolphin's Barn bridge. Certain chemists and doctors were a magnet for those who sought a supply of drugs. Over the past ten years, through local drugs task forces, the Government has achieved a considerable amount. Today the drugs problem has diminished dramatically in comparison with ten years ago. The people responsible for this include Mr. Chris Flood and Deputies Eoin Ryan and Rabbitte.

Fatima Mansions and Marrowbone Lane are being regenerated, while St. Michael's Estate in Inchicore is being demolished and replaced. Teresa's Gardens and Dolphin House have the opportunity for regeneration and Dublin City Council is anxious to make progress on the regeneration that the tenants of the complexes wish. The Government has the money to undertake a high class, high quality regeneration of those areas and I look forward to the residents agreeing to this.

Community enterprise schemes, such as the job initiative and the social economy, have improved the lot of many people, particularly lone parents. The social capital of the country, particularly my constituency, has improved dramatically. Ten years ago, elderly women with long coats and scarves walked along the roads depressedly. Now the same cohort of women is dressed to the nines, with hair done, getting on the bus to Westport, Rosslare or some area in Cork, with volunteers such as former Garda Sergeant John O'Sullivan. Volunteers and participants in social community enterprise schemes work with the community to ensure the improvement in living standards of the elderly. Through participation, lone parents are also improving their quality of life and the social capital.

The dramatic improvements in social welfare to which I refer are of great importance. In 1996, before this Government came into office, child benefit for the first and second child was €35 per month. In June 1997 it increased when the Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats Government came into power and it now stands at €150 per month. My calculator does not have enough zeros to calculate the significant percentage increase.

See this speech in context