Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)

Ballymun, in my constituency, is a strong and proud community. As the Minister knows, having visited Ballymun recently, following decades of underinvestment by successive governments it is facing huge challenges ranging from poor housing to lack of economic opportunities. The community has been promised so much but is dealing with issues such as high poverty levels and a recent increase in drug-related and gang-related violence and intimidation. Today's Movember health report shows that men in areas of high levels of deprivation, such as Ballymun, are 150% more likely to die before the age of 75 than those living in less deprived areas. Having visible community-based gardaí is a key measure to ensure community safety. The level of Garda presence in places like Ballymun is 20% below the national average. When will the Minister increase the Garda allocation to Ballymun and deliver a north-east inner-city level of funding in order for the Ballymun implementation board to undertake vital community prevention work with young people, families, community groups and schools?

See this speech in context