Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak broadly about the issues concerning antisocial behaviour. I represent the communities of Finglas, Ballymun, Beaumont and Dublin North-West. The problems of antisocial behaviour are caused fundamentally by deep inequalities in our society, poverty, and the neglect of communities. There is a lack of investment in communities, youth services, drug services, community employment and public safety. Communities needs investment. They have been abandoned and have been left to deal with intergenerational trauma. What we need to see in places like Ballymun and Finglas is real investment in diversion and supports for young people, giving them hope and involving them, and in services, schools and, in particular, the communities.

I was at community safety meetings in Finglas and Ballymun this week. People are looking for community gardaí, visible gardaí. The number of gardaí available in north Dublin is way behind that in other parts of the city and country. Fundamentally, we need an approach that values these communities and gives the children who grow up in them an equal right to a safe community and a future that includes and involves them and gives them support so they can live a life equal to that of anybody else in this country.

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