Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

The common denominator in the four jobs in question is that the areas in which they are located are areas with high unemployment levels, many social problems and a significant drug problem.

Many of the workers are 20 years in the job, with ten years done on a voluntary basis and ten years being paid by the Department. These people have been told funding is being cut by 75%, although I am told these cuts are happening elsewhere also. The common denominator is that the areas being attacked have suffered through the years from deprivation. These cuts are seen as a direct attack by the Department.

The work being done is second to none and cannot be replicated. There is a suggestion that the local authority or Garda might replicate this work but they cannot. A wide range of activities is organised to address the high levels of anti-social behaviour, including diversionary programmes for young people and a particular focus on anti-social behaviour. I will provide an example for the Minister of State. In the past week two houses in the area I represent have been petrol bombed and a pipe bomb has been left outside a family's door. These exemplify some of the problems happening in the areas.

These workers are the glue holding the communities together. What can the Minister of State do to reverse the cuts? These workers are involved with anti-racism action, Tallaght Travellers, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, senior citizens, the RAPID programme, anti-social units, social inclusion, the planning and roads department in the local authority, housing projects, local schools, coffee dock management, the developing and support of a local creche, the Dodder Valley partnership, drugs task forces, the HSE, young mothers, new communities, family support and estate management. The Minister of State is talking about removing such a service in March, which is absolutely crazy. We must formulate alternatives.

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