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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Ballymun poverty and violence

Summary

Rory Hearne described severe deprivation, housing problems and rising violence in Ballymun, citing a stark mortality statistic for men. The Minister praised local work, said he wanted more gardaí, and reiterated that recruitment and deployment are distinct decisions.

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?

Comment on this

As Deputy Hearne said, I had the pleasure of being in Ballymun to meet the integration forum there. A huge amount of excellent work is being done. I am alarmed by the statistic that Deputy Hearne has put onto the record of the House. It is frightening that men in Ballymun are 150% more likely to die in the circumstances he has outlined. Deputy Hearne wants more gardaí on the streets in Ballymun, and so do I. The way I need to do that is to recruit more gardaí. Then it is a matter for the Commissioner to decide where they should go. I certainly see the benefits of having more gardaí on the ground doing community policing in places such as Ballymun.

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