Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, and from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. Fergal Lynch, Secretary General, Mr. Dermot Ryan and Ms Bernie McNally. I thank them for being here today. I also thank Deputies McLellan and Troy for their co-operation. Apologies have been received from Deputies Regina Doherty and Dan Neville.

This meeting has been convened to consider the following Supplementary Estimate for Public Services: Vote 40 - the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The Dáil, by virtue of an order made on 19 November 2015, referred this Estimate to the Select Sub-Committee on Children and Youth Affairs pursuant to Standing Orders 82A(3)(c) and (6)(a) and 159(3) and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees and asked the select sub-committee to report back to the Dáil not later than 9 December 2015.

I invite the Minister, Deputy James Reilly, to make his opening statement.