Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a commitment in the strategy statement to focus on building stronger and safer communities through reforms in the areas of housing, policing, community safety and community development. The strategy makes a specific reference to the implementation of policing reforms and to the Dublin north-east inner city initiative. The Taoiseach met with members of the North Inner City Community Coalition last month to discuss the increase of violent crime in the area. The coalition emphasised to the Taoiseach the urgent need for An Garda Síochána to grip the escalating crime and the drug-related violence and intimidation that is rapidly becoming normalised in some parts of the city.

I believe the Taoiseach recognises the need for strong community engagement, increased community safety and enhanced youth services. What progress has the Government made on these over the past month? In his public comments after the meeting, the Taoiseach specifically mentioned that additional outreach and information programmes would be rolled out, as well as youth justice and other interventions. What progress has been made on these initiatives? What agency has responsibility for their delivery? Will the Taoiseach provide a briefing on these measures and on the additional policing resources agreed between the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner? Dubliners need reassurance that the Government is committed to getting tough on serious and violent crime.

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