Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the recent and very positive development of the place-based leadership development programme by the Minister of State, Deputy Joe O'Brien. This is a much-needed programme that was proposed in the Nolan and Geiran reports. It is an excellent mechanism of support for communities and a grassroots, ground-up way of dealing with issues. Is the Government committed to rolling out this programme and, if so, when will it be rolled out and when will we see it for other areas? In recent weeks, Deputies, councillors and local activists have been meeting with great concern around an increase in anti-social behaviour, violence and criminality in parts of Dublin South Central. It has been described as being on a knife-edge and could very much go the wrong way. When will the place-based leadership development programme be rolled out to other areas? There are several areas I know that desperately need it.

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