Seanad debates
Wednesday, 26 November 2003
Book of Estimates 2004: Statements.
In recent weeks I have noticed a wonderful playground at the top of Gardiner Street which is thronged with young people and their parents. This is the kind of development we need. If one wants to solve the crime problem in our inner cities, or go some way towards doing so, we should invest in education, including programmes such as Breaking the Cycle. It is cruel to give young people a glimpse of the promised land and dump them just when they are coming to the end of their primary education. I have stated before – I will reiterate this until I am successful – that programmes should be continued through second level and university because the role models for the young children are the drug tsars and crack cocaine bosses who drive around in large cars with their admiring attendants. This perception will be broken the first time a vet, lawyer or doctor from the same background as these young people, and who has come through the same system, drives back into his neighbourhood in his nice car, thus showing that one can have a good life and also contribute to society.
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