Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her very comprehensive overview on the work being done and I congratulate her on the work done to date. I wish to touch on an issue which the Minister has not dealt with; I do not expect her to give an answer here but I ask that it be considered. Young people, including children as young as ten, are dropping out of education and going down the wrong road towards criminal activity. They fall between three Departments, namely, Education and Skills, Justice and Equality and Children and Youth Affairs. A number of voluntary agencies provide services but receive very little support. I ask the Minister to put this on the agenda for the next six months to see whether more co-ordination is possible and perhaps meet some of the voluntary agencies working in the area. Voluntary agencies are trying to get these young people back into education, and the Garda Síochána is also involved, but funding is a major issue for some projects.