South-west inner city disadvantage
Deputy Cummins highlighted a new report showing severe disadvantage in Dublin's south-west inner city across deprivation, crime, education, sport and drug deaths. The Tánaiste said he would examine the report and link in with the Department of the Taoiseach about spreading successful models.
A new report revealed today the depths of disadvantage in Dublin's south-west inner city, where I live. On every metric, the area and its residents are being failed. There is a disproportionate disadvantage when it comes to deprivation and crime, low educational attainment and a chronic lack of sporting facilities, which I have spoken about several times in this Chamber. There are also very stark findings with regard to drug deaths and the crime rate, which is twice the national average.
It is really shocking it is laid out in black and white. I see it every day but it is shocking when it is written out in a report. It is also infuriating. There is a lot of money in this country, but how we choose to spend it is really important.
The only real investment that has happened over the lifetime of the Government is investment in private student accommodation, build-to-rent apartments and hotels for tourists. That does not help anyone living there. What I really want to know is if it is possible to have the same sort of thing that happens in the north-east inner city for the south inner city? They mirror one another incredibly, and that is my question.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Cummins for bringing up the issue and I will have a look at that report. The question she is raising is a broader one that arises from time to time, where there is a model that works well in parts of the city or of our country and there are other communities saying that they too could benefit from that model. I am going from my memory now, but I know there was work to be undertaken towards the end of the last Government in terms of how we embed that good practice in other communities. On foot of the Deputy raising this today, I will link in with the Department of the Taoiseach, which is co-ordinating that. I will also point out, as I am sitting beside the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, that a number of funds are available to try to help communities, particularly to tackle disadvantage, and perhaps I will ask the Minister of State to speak to Deputy Cummins on that too.