Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

We will have an opportunity to comprehensively address the drugs issue next week and I will refer to it in passing in this contribution.

There is probably never a perfect time to discuss young people's issues. The European Youth Parliament was held in the Chamber last week and, while I was not present, I believe it addressed many of these issues. Dáil na nÓg also does good work. We need to learn to listen to young people. We are very good at telling them what to do but we are not always good at listening to their concerns. Very often, they have much to tell us which we should incorporate into the work we are doing.

Like Deputy O'Rourke, I was a teacher in a previous incarnation. In fact, I spent 30 very enjoyable years working in that profession and would like to think I had a reasonably good engagement with young people. I also spent much time involved in youth work. I have seen at first hand the positive effects that can arise from giving young people a chance. Most of my involvement has been working with young people in areas of disadvantage. I have seen the difference it has made to young people in those areas when additional support and encouragement was given to them at an early stage.

I take Deputy Enright's point with regard to playgrounds. Unfortunately, there has been a dearth of playgrounds throughout the country. When I started in youth work, one of the first campaigns waged against young people was that by the adult population of this city to remove playgrounds from their areas. We did not have the term anti-social behaviour in those days but the allegation made was that they would only be drinking around the swings, that one could not get insurance and the devil and all would be happening around the place.

We are coming from a very low base and the situation remains difficult. My Department is associated with both the RAPID and CLÁR programmes. For every area where we manage to persuade the local authority and community to agree to locate a playground, there is another where it will be said "Not in my back yard, thank you very much." There are times when I think it would almost be easier to locate a facility for drug misusers than one for young people to enjoy creative opportunities. It is regrettable this is sometimes the case.

Since I took over responsibility for the national drugs strategy five months ago, I have been struck by the number of youth workers and others involved with young people's initiatives. I have met those who themselves received support that helped in their formative years and who are now willing to put something back. I was in Edenderry in Deputy Enright's constituency some weeks ago to visit a superb drug awareness project.

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