Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would strongly make the case that what is compelling is that we implement the vision for early intervention that was outlined by the task force and to which the Secretary General referred. We must ensure that psychology services are available to the new agency. This is critical.

There are professional concerns and we will do everything possible to work on them. The working group and I have met the various representatives. The psychologists were invited to make a presentation to the original task force.

However, this is a question of change and professional groups adapting to it and being willing to show flexibility. We must keep the vision of the child and family agency up front. It is not just a matter of child protection. Rather, it is about early supports, of which psychology is an important part.

I assure the Deputy that we will work with the psychologists to get the best outcome. For the past six to eight weeks, the working group has examined the boundary issues. We will try to achieve the best solution, but I am putting children and families at the centre in terms of how the services are organised, not the professional groups. Some change is necessary, as the way the services are organised has clearly not worked. This is what the new agency is about. We must ensure that the professional groups understand this point and work with the new model. We will try for a solution that ensures the best services for children while taking note of the concerns of the professional groups, including psychologists, but this is a question of change and working differently.

Was the Deputy’s third question on youth work and the engagement with employment?