The people of Dublin’s southwest inner city are being failed on multiple fronts by the Government, according to local Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins.
Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South Central, said:
“A new report by TCD economist Barra Roantree has revealed the depths of disadvantage in Dublin’s southwest inner city. On every metric, the residents of this area are being failed.
“This part of the city is disproportionately disadvantaged when it comes to deprivation, crime, low education participation and a chronic lack of sporting facilities.
“Some of the starkest findings are around drug deaths and the crime rate – which are twice the national average. These statistics are all the more shocking when you see them laid out in black and white.
“The lack of State investment in these local communities is infuriating. Successive governments have had the money to invest in the area and make real improvements to people’s lives that will last a lifetime – they just haven’t bothered.
“The only real investment in Dublin 8 has been in student accommodation that young people in the area can’t afford to live in; build to rent apartments they will never be able to own; or new hotels for tourists.
“Fine Gael have now been in power for 15 years – the neglect of this part of our capital city is their shameful legacy.
“As a TD for this constituency, I am alarmed at the levels of disadvantage and deprivation laid bare in this report. I am now calling on the Government to act on its findings and set up an initiative – modelled on the North East Inner City Taskforce – to provide targeted resources for the area.
“Everything possible must be done to prevent more people being left behind if this part of the city is allowed to fall further into decline.”
April 23, 2026