Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This is a subject close to my heart. Not many politicians go into these areas in the south inner city. People living there feel they have been deserted by mainstream politicians who do not even attend public meetings on drugs and crime. We need to roll up our sleeves and ensure these communities are represented and that they get the resources they need. Otherwise, we are storing up a huge problem for the future. If we cannot send gardaí into the inner city on a regular patrol, they will not build the confidence, contacts and intelligence they need within local communities. If a garda is pulled out to Temple Bar or one of the embassies or to police a protest outside Google's offices, those communities will effectively be lost and we will have an even greater crime problem. Some of the 13 and 14 years olds of today who have begun dealing will make up the next wave of criminals. We have a chance to stop the cycle.

The Minister cannot tackle this problem alone and we must have a multifaceted approach. The Minister for Education and Skills has a role to play and, above all, there must be investment in these communities so that people living in them have the opportunities which are not currently available to them. They see multimillion euro apartments going up beside them and huge investment in office complexes. We will soon have an announcement by the Taoiseach about the investment in the innovation hub which will bring 10,000 people from abroad to work in the heart of the south inner city. There is no opportunity for people already living in that community to get a job in the new hub. They feel they have been pushed aside. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, can work on the crime and Garda resources issues but we need a multifaceted strategy. A task force will be useful, but finding a solution to this problem is a task very much for the long road.