Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I applaud the task force for Dublin city centre. When this matter was first spoken about last April, I wrote to the Taoiseach because, while we have a north inner-city task force and a city centre task force, the constituency of Dublin South Central, which is the south inner city, does not have a task force but does have a lot of criminality and a lot of areas where there are no facilities for young people. I stated that we need a co-ordinated response through bringing together the Garda, the city council and all of the community groups. On foot of this, I held a meeting with the Lord Mayor in September to facilitate a meeting of all of these interest groups. They are made up of individuals who work very hard on the ground, trying to make sure young people are not diverted into criminality. Tuesday and Thursday night training can make a difference, as a child has somewhere to go and people to mentor them and be a positive influence in their lives. This was brought home to me last night when I had a meeting here with the Liberties soccer alliance, which is made up of Oliver Bond Celtic, Rialto Football Club, Iveagh Celtic, Fatima Rangers, the Transport Iveagh Trust Football Club, Earl Celtic, Aungier Celtic and St. Teresa's Football Club. These are people who give up their time and work with young people to give boys and girls an interest and something to do. They do not have pitches.

We have fantastic soundings coming out of Dublin City Council about Marrowbone Lane and Donore Avenue but they are still two years away. Right now, children are being preyed upon by criminals. It is right now that the community work to which I refer, particularly that done by sports clubs, the football alliance and Sporting Liberties, needs to be supported by means of emergency provision. Anywhere we can, we should mow a lawn and get children playing football or any sport that keeps them focused, keeps them together and gives them a sense of community and a sense of who they are, apart from being attracted into criminality. We really need that. I am speaking up for the facilities required, and I reiterate my call for a task force for my community.