Anti-social behaviour is being directed in some areas of Dublin by drug gangs to exert control over residents, according to a report.
Studies in Ballymun, Darndale, the northeast inner city and the south city found that although the situation varied between estates and flat complexes, anti-social activity can create "hotspots".
"Places where anti-social behaviour and drug-related crime are particularly intense and unrelenting, a source of public nuisance and intimidation," said the report on estate management by the City Council.
The report stated that there had been a move to a greater social mix in estates with different tenures including social housing, owner-occupier, private-rented and shared ownership.
However it stated "in many of the localities where there is a high concentration of social housing, there are correlated high levels of deprivation".
It found that although only 2% of the population may be involved in the drug networks the effect was "extreme".
There was also an issue of racism with 8% of the 25,000 social housing tenants coming from outside the European economic area.
Almost half of all racism incidents occurred in social housing, according to research by the Immigrant Council of Ireland.
One report found persistent racial abuse in Dublin 8, particularly of shop staff and low levels of anti-social behaviour including smashing windows and name calling of non-Irish families using a playground.
The report stated that because of a legal challenge, there has been no evictions for nearly 10 years.
However powers are available now and can also be used to prohibit someone who has an exclusion order or tenancy warning for anti-social behaviour: from buying their property for three years; the council refusing non-essential maintenance on the property; and refusing to rehouse for two years.
Councillors welcomed the report but complained that not enough is being done about anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Dermot Lacey (Labour) said the legal system does not take the issue seriously while Councillor John Lyons (Independent) said it can make people's lives "a living hell".
