Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept that good work is being done up and down the country, but we do not have the resources. We have to try to break the cycle. It is sad when more and more young people fall back into drug use after going through rehab. The housing and drugs crises are inextricably linked. This is a well-known fact and is accepted by all who review this matter. We must try to impact schools, which are doing their best. After 17-year-olds and 18-year-olds leave school, though, they seem to be left to the mercy of the waves.

There is a major problem. I wish I could stand up and speak about something more pleasant this morning, but the situation in Cluain Meala is appalling. It is a fine town with fine people and is the second largest inland town in the country, but we do not have the resources. The Garda does not have the resources but could not do this work alone anyway. We need support workers who are active and visible if we are to deal with this problem, get it off the streets and, above all, get these people out of their drug-taking habits and back into rehab so that they can get their lives back on track again. It is sad to see unfortunate souls on the streets who do not know where they are or what they are doing, falling over and intimidating others. It is desperate. They are all human beings and we need to look after them and provide some modicum of safety to them as well as others who share the street space with them.

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