Tallaght residents in plea to address poverty
Urgent Government action is needed to tackle devastating levels of poverty and social exclusion in Dublin’s Tallaght West district, it was claimed today.
At a public meeting called to discuss the findings of a report entitled ‘How Are Our Kids?’, 200 residents agreed that while there were no quick fix solutions, the problems were not insurmountable.
The study of the 21,000 population concluded that nine out of 10 children live in fear of anti-social behaviour or crime.
Sean Crowe, Sinn Féin Dublin South West TD, said: “The difficulties in Tallaght West stem from the root causes of poverty and years of neglect by the state authorities.
“At a time of unprecedented economic growth in this State the Government has failed to invest in whole communities. The considerable wealth generated by the Irish economy over the past number of years has not benefited those most in need.”
He said it was important to recognise such problems of deprivation and poverty were echoed throughout the country.
The report found that half of all families live on State benefit and that children’s development was often put at risk by high levels of adult depression.
Tallaght boasts the highest concentration of under 14-year-olds in the country, yet at least one third of children live in poverty.
Over one quarter of households are in rent arrears and one in three children are bullied at school.
Mr Crowe criticised Defence Minister Willie O’Dea who claimed there was a “lack of community cohesion” in the area. He said the minister was trying to shift the blame by placing it at the door of the community.
The report calls for Government-led investment and the Sinn Féin TD made a fresh appeal for action to back the tireless work of many residents and community activists.
“With political will and a multi-faceted approach to the causes of poverty and deprivation we can overcome these problems,” he added.
“The community require urgent actions not empty promises.”
The report was based on surveys of a sample of the parents of 187 children from 79 households and conducted by the UK-based Dartington Social Research Unit in conjunction with the local Childhood Development Initiative.
