Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

The Minister of State's response to my amendment and that of my Fine Gael colleagues is that he is concerned that the measure proposed would bring about another layer of bureaucracy and would require another implementation body. I share his concern about that type of approach. The problem for the Carline learning centre, to whose funding difficulties the Minister of State has given assistance, is that it must apply to several bodies for funding and does not know from year to year whether it will have sufficient funds to carry out its work. The work of the centre is very much related to the work of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The centre advises public representatives that it would like to see definite funding from a particular Department, for example, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. While the Department works in this area it needs to become more involved. It must take positive measures to prevent crime or, as in this case, to make reparation for the effects of crime.

Most communities are, to some extent, disadvantaged by crime. There are people who are so wealthy they may not feel the effects to any extent, but crime is as much an issue in middle class suburban areas as in working class areas. Nevertheless, the effect of crime is greater in some areas than others and some areas have been very much neglected.

The Minister of State referred to the RAPID programme. Yesterday, I heard the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, who is responsible for RAPID, speaking about the programme on "Five Seven Live". The RAPID programme was announced with great hurrahs some years ago but I cannot see any extra funding coming through the programme. It is completely ephemeral. I would not be surprised to hear a claim that an extra roll of Sellotape had been acquired as a result of RAPID funding. I am sure the Minister of State will contradict what I am saying but whether he will do so with clarity is another matter. We want to see money being made available and making a difference to communities. This is the type of thinking behind the amendment.

The issue of Garda resources was raised on the Order of Business. The Minister of State is aware of this problem in the areas he represents. Developing communities, such as Lucan south and north Clondalkin, do not have enough gardaí. They experience everything from anti-social behaviour to gangland murders. We need more gardaí on the ground and more Garda resources. Such measures could be funded by means of disposal orders. I do not suggest a partnership approach or piecemeal funding, rather I have proposed that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform use the disposal orders for definite funding of positive community measures.