Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Can I be so bad as to suggest the cut in subhead B6 has led to the problem of anti-social behaviour by youths and an increase in children coming before the courts and ultimately going into detention centres? This subhead funds many of the projects and organisations which do so much of the good work done in marginalised areas where there are particularly vulnerable children. When that funding is reduced, one sees a decline in the services that can be provided. Unfortunately, the knock-on effect of reduced intervention at an early age will see children going down the route we do not want to see them taking. In the light of this the Minister might reconsider this proposal. I understand budgets are tight and that we are in a very precarious financial position, but because the funding for these projects is being cut back and there is no intervention and supports within their communities there is an increase in the number of children coming before the courts from marginalised and vulnerable areas.