Years of Shocking Neglect in Dublin’s South-West Inner City — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP and Cllr Darragh Moriarty
Years of Shocking Neglect in Dublin's South-West Inner City — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP and Cllr Darragh Moriarty - The Labour Party
Labour’s MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said that the people of Dublin’s south-west inner city have been neglected for years. A new report published today shows just how serious that neglect has been.
Speaking today, Ó Ríordáin said:
“The south-west inner city, the Liberties, Rialto, Inchicore, Dolphins Barn, Kilmainham, has a crime rate more than twice the national average, drug poisoning deaths at least twice the national average, and just 36% of school leavers going on to third level. Less than half the national rate.
“Fewer than four in ten children in the area attend secondary school, the lowest of any electoral area in Dublin.
“It took us three years of a campaign to get €50 million in funding for DEIS Plus. Disadvantaged children always have to wait longer. That has to change.
“For young people, the EU Youth Guarantee and the new EU Youth Strategy offer a real framework for change, but only if the investment follows.
“As shadow rapporteur in the European Parliament for improving the Youth Guarantee, I am happy to confirm that Dublin 8 will be targeted as part of the scheme. The Youth Guarantee has a strong track record in Dublin. Its work in Ballymun in 2014 showed what genuine investment in young people can achieve.
“Robert Watt takes up his new role leading the Dublin City Regeneration Authority this week. The communities of the south-west inner city need to know they are not just part of his brief but a priority.
“One of the best ways for him to start is with sport. In the south-west inner city, home to 50,000 residents including 8,500 children, there is not a single green area for organised sport. We need to fix that.
“Regeneration that focuses on the city centre while ignoring entrenched deprivation a few streets away would be a fatal error.
“The North East Inner City initiative has been a success. It is now time to replicate that model in the south-west inner city.
“Labour Councillor Darragh Moriarty, leader of the Labour group on Dublin City Council, has been working and campaigning on these issues for years. Together we will continue to push for the investment this community deserves.”
Cllr Darragh Moriarty, Labour Party Group Leader on Dublin City Council and representative for the South-West Inner City ward, said:
“Growing up and living in this community all my life, I’ve witnessed firsthand the rapid change and gentrification experienced by Dublin 8. And what that investment in our community, the shiny luxury student accommodation and the aparthotels has come a wave of upmarket coffee shops, bars and restaurants.
“While this has served, yes to attract new people to make this community their home and visitors, it has also helped gloss over the very real and persistent criminal, antisocial and neglect of parts of this community.
“We have no space for children to kick or puck a ball. Community centres that went on fire 5 years ago not refurbished. School buildings falling apart. The findings of this report must serve as a wake up call and bring about targeted and meaningful investment to support some of our most at risk and vulnerable in our society.”
ENDS
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is a Labour MEP for Dublin, shadow rapporteur on the EU Youth Guarantee, and a member of the Socialists and Democrats Group in the European Parliament.