Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response and for his sustained commitment to the north inner city and the northside of Dublin. I am satisfied to see the Department is continuing the positive work in, and sustained focus on, this vibrant area. It would be remiss of me, however, if I did not call on the Taoiseach to expand this positive engagement of the forum to date to the stakeholders in Ballymun and Finglas on the northside of the city. Recently, the Taoiseach visited Ballymun with me and saw first-hand some of the great work taking place there. Unfortunately, in parts of the Ballymun and parts of Finglas there is a serious issue with crime such as drug dealing, the illegal use of scrambler bikes and antisocial behaviour. People are truly at their wits' end and I ask the Taoiseach to investigate the possibility of setting up a similar task force for Ballymun and Finglas, using the model quite successfully piloted in the north inner city to date, having been requested two years ago by the Taoiseach's predecessor, Deputy Enda Kenny, and working with the hard-working community activists, project leaders and groups in these areas. In the two years since the task force was set up we have seen the difference it can make, the change it can bring about and the sustained focus it can place on a community such as the north inner city. The changes have been positive so far and I would like the model to be expanded and brought to other areas.

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