Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for attending today and for their presentations. As Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said, I agree that the establishment of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is a positive development. The witnesses spoke about many positive developments. The high-level policy framework document was mentioned and it is to be welcomed. The establishment of the child and family support agency must be welcomed also and there are many positive developments in the area of early child care and subsidised after school care. The main issue is resources. That is a very important consideration. Even though a great deal of good work has been done, and I am glad there has been a good deal of joined-up thinking and that Departments are working together, because of budget constraints much of the good work can be undone.

The people who come into our constitutency offices talk about the effects of austerity and budget constraints. It all very well to establish all the Departments and identify what needs to be done, but I would hate because of budget constraints to see them dismantled or chipped away in the long term.