Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On 16 June 2016, the Dáil ordered that the Revised Estimates for Public Services in respect of the following Vote be referred to this committee for consideration, namely, Vote 40 - Children and Youth Affairs. At today's meeting, the select committee will consider these Estimates and report back to the Dáil.

At the outset, I welcome the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, congratulate her on her appointment and wish her every good luck on behalf of the committee during her tenure in charge of that Department. The committee looks forward to working very closely with her to ensure she achieves our collective goals for the Department during this period. I also acknowledge her officials who are here, Mr. Fergal Lynch, Secretary General, Mr. Dermot Ryan, assistant secretary, and Ms Bernie McNally, assistant secretary.

The proposed format of today's meeting is that we will hear brief opening remarks from the Minister before going on to deal with Vote 40 on a programme-by-programme basis. At the outset of the consideration of each of the programmes, the Minister may give an overview of the programme, including detailing any pressures likely to impact on her Department's performance or expenditure relating to the programme in 2016. We will then open it up to the floor for questions from members of the committee.

I remind members and those in the Gallery that their mobile phones should be switched off completely for the duration of the meeting as they cause interference with the recording equipment in committee rooms if in silent mode. Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I call on the Minister to make brief opening remarks on the overall expenditure of the Department before proceeding to Vote 40.