FEWER THAN a dozen districts in the State produce the great bulk of juvenile offenders and prison inmates. Born into poverty and with inadequate education, these citizens are 30 times more likely to end up in court than their middle-class neighbours.
And, once a criminal record has been established, they are likely to return to prison again and again. This vicious cycle must be broken through the provision of early- intervention State services and family support systems.
Of course such measures will be expensive. But allowing the situation to drift could be far more costly in the long run, in terms of urban blight, growing criminality, recidivism and a lost generation. Official reports have identified the services required. And there is no secret about where money should be spent. We know that Dublin districts such as Finglas, Tallaght and the Taoiseach's constituency in the inner city are particularly affected. So, too, are certain areas of Limerick and Cork. Parts of our major cities have become unmanageable because of long-term educational, social and political neglect. Health services are poor and drug and alcohol abuse is endemic.
Early intervention is the key to success. Where this does occur, fewer children are taken into care and there are positive outcomes. A family support strategy was promised by the Department of Health in 2005. Nothing happened. Health authorities are still failing to meet their statutory obligations. A start must now be made. Education and skills-training services should be upgraded. Pre-school and follow-up programmes, such as breakfast clubs and family support initiatives, are desperately needed. Children from particularly deprived districts are quick to recognise that avenues of opportunity are closed off to them, and react accordingly. They fall behind at school and many never complete their Junior Certificate. Poverty is an underlying factor for a high percentage of families, as is alcohol and drug abuse. Special efforts should be made to keep these children free of the criminal justice system through the use of community sanctions and Garda diversion projects.
Political support is also urgently needed. Without it, these urban black spots will continue to fester. The Taoiseach represents one of the most deprived constituencies in the State. He should ensure that special funding is made available, even in these uncertain economic times. Breaking the cycle of deprivation, anti-social behaviour and crime in these particular areas would be a commendable political legacy.