Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I thank my colleague, Deputy Ciarán Lynch, for sharing time with me. This issue is of particular importance to Deputies from Limerick. I support my colleague, Deputy Lynch, in his general concern about distancing more bodies from responsibility through the Minister. As spokesperson on health I experience this on a daily basis in regard to health questions and issues in the health area where they are constantly handed over by the Minister to the HSE and we have to await a written response at a much later date. I would not like to see that happening in any other aspect of Government because we need clear and public accountability. That is sorely lacking at present in regard to the health services.

I wish to deal specifically with section 5 of the Bill which relates to the Limerick northside and southside regeneration agencies. We already had the statutory instruments in the House in regard to those agencies following the Fitzgerald report. One of the purposes of this legislation is to extend the geographic area covered by the Limerick Northside Regeneration Agency and Limerick Southside Regeneration Agency, to add representation on the boards of the agencies from the areas and to clarify the areas covered.

Like Deputy Noonan, I support the Fitzgerald report and want to see it implemented as soon as possible. I have had a positive experience with Mr. Brendan Kenny, the head of these agencies, and the people who work with him. Mr. Kenny is open and amenable to meeting public representatives and community groups. Unlike many who work in the public service, he meets groups in the evening and listens to what they say. I commend him on the work so far.

We need an all-Government approach if we are to be successful in the regeneration of these areas of Limerick and Limerick as a whole. This activity is having an effect on the entire city and hinterland. In calling for an all-Government approach, through the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Killeen, I want to ensure that we do not leave it all to the regeneration agencies and the local authorities.

I refer to one area that is prominent in the vision documents published by the regeneration agencies, education and building the social fabric of these areas. We have all stated that this element is as important as the physical fabric. This is illustrated by the point Deputy Noonan made about the houses refurbished some years ago on the southside. These are among the worst in the housing estate. Despite the regeneration of the houses, unfortunately the people were not regenerated, if that is not an awful term to use about people. The supports were not set up and the whole issue went back to scratch. Social support is vital.

I have made representations on behalf of the post-primary school that caters for the majority of young people in one of these areas — I will not pinpoint the school. It made a detailed submission to the regeneration board and received a good reception and empathy. However, the school was told the regeneration board did not have the money to implement education proposals. These included strengthening the welfare board to ensure children go to school, special educational needs support for those from troubled backgrounds with special learning needs, strengthening the school completion programme, retention of teachers and library facilities and book rental. Many of these are practical for a school that caters for children with difficult backgrounds. Many schools throughout the country cherry-pick the children who have no problems but this school is open to all children in its catchment area. It does its best but it needs extra support to give these children a chance. They will turn into the crime lords of tomorrow unless they have such support. Many of them are out of school.

Many people have seen the story of a young 14 year old running around with a gun, although it was not from the area to which I refer. There are many such cases, of young people on the streets and breaking into houses, and they will become the criminals of tomorrow. We must intervene while they are in school, but we cannot do so unless the money is provided. We are told that these proposals are being considered by the Department of Education and Science but the money must be provided to this school and others in the area to ensure those children do not have the same experiences as those in court. Other proposals were not specific to the school and include proposals for an all-weather pitch, a swimming pool and other sporting and recreational facilities. It is vital such support is provided if we are to be successful.

Support for families is also important. Deputy Noonan referred to the importance of the courts in ensuring that appropriate sentences are imposed. We need follow-up from the court. I raised the Children Act with the Taoiseach, asking if it was fully implemented. The section that deals with parents being brought into court, where young people have offended, is in law but I see no evidence of parents being brought into court and made legally responsible for ensuring the children are at home in bed at night, when they should be. We have much legislation but it is not being implemented. ASBOs were not popular across the board but they are an instrument that can be used. I see no evidence of their use in these areas.

We need systems whereby we can show those who are causing trouble that the State is serious about not permitting this behaviour. We must also show that it is serious about supporting young people who live in those areas and who wish to put their lives on a more straight, honest and valuable course. I hold clinics in three of the areas concerned and meet people every week. It is extraordinarily difficult for good parents living in these housing estates to bring up youngsters. Boys either get picked on because they are considered too soft if they are not involved in anti-social behaviour or they get involved at the fringes and get dragged in. It is extremely difficult to bring up a decent child, particularly boys, if the necessary support is not provided. The evidence suggests they have not been receiving this support.

It is vital that this works at all levels, not just the physical restructuring or the Garda and law and order aspect. The other pillar, the social pillar, is more important in the long term. In the short term, people are crying out for more gardaí but in the long term we must provide funding. I call on the Minister of State, who is familiar with education, to ensure the educational provisions, and social provisions such as social workers, are supplied by the Government.

Regarding law and order, there are a number of specific proposals. I support Deputy Noonan's call to increase the number of gardaí as promised. These people should be experienced. We need CCTV where necessary and useful. It is in place in Moyross, where it works well, but not in St. Mary's Park. Residents have suggested that CCTV could be used as evidence to convict people of criminal behaviour. Local authorities must be financed to provide simple things such as public lighting. If Limerick City Council does not have the money to provide lighting in these housing estates, it should be provided as a specific allocation in the context of regeneration. It is easy for people to get away with crime against neighbours if they are not visible. It is a practical step that makes a major difference and makes people safer in their homes when they and others can be seen.

The Labour Party has made proposals to place the witness protection programme on a statutory basis. The programme is not very effective and few people choose to undergo the programme. It is difficult to implement and is not successful. Were it on a statutory provision, it would be strengthened. The Labour Party has made proposals in respect of surveillance to make it easier for the Garda to know who is committing crime. The Garda knows, as we do, who many of the people in question are, but a strengthened power of surveillance is required to get convictions. While I am suggesting these extra legislative measures, it is a question of providing resources and implementing legislation on the Statute Book.

I welcome the new areas to be included in the regeneration programme, Ballinacurra Weston and St. Mary's Park. The latter has been focused on recently. They are both old urban communities with old houses and generational families who have settled and want to stay. They are the best neighbourhoods in which one could grow up in terms of being taken care of if one has a problem. If a person is elderly, neighbours would pop in to check on him or her, which would not occur in many wealthier areas. However, these communities are beginning to break up because people are frightened and want to move out. Elderly people who have lived there all of their lives are asking whether they can get out. This situation is wrong and we must ensure that the areas get the protection they need as soon as possible to allow families to stay. I stress the urgency of the situation. If the communities break up and people move to other parts of Limerick, it will be difficult to rebuild the existing community spirit. We must support the area's sporting clubs and community organisations, of which there are a myriad. Those brass bands, soccer clubs, GAA clubs, rugby clubs, senior citizens' organisations and so on must be supported.

While there is considerable hope in Limerick as regards regeneration, there is an element of scepticism in that this might be a one-year wonder with much fanfare but few follow-up supports. I make this plea in the Chamber and my colleagues from Limerick will make similar comments. We must all pull together on this matter and forget about political differences to ensure we make the regeneration programme work.

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