Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Ara. I also welcome her officials as this is the first time I have had engagement with many of them.

As a general observation, in terms of the way the figures are presented, until a few months ago all but one of the members would have been members of a local authority. When local authorities are presented with figures on a regular basis on corporate policy groups and so on, there is a percentage for the level of spending at that point in the year to date. As a general rule, that would be useful here. The Minister touched on some of the percentages in her contribution but to be able to read and comprehend those in future presentations would be welcome.

I have some observations which will overlap with the contributions from Deputy Rabbitte and Deputy O'Sullivan. A concern has been expressed in recent weeks about the number of unallocated cases. I add my voice to that query raised but following on from the Child Care (Amendment) Bill at the end of 2015, there was a legal right to an aftercare plan. A substantial number of children are not receiving aftercare plans. Can that lack of resources be addressed by the end of the year?

I understand that the new Tusla IT system is to be implemented by the end of 2017, and it is Tusla's responsibility to develop that alongside external bodies. I suppose that programme will not be delivered entirely by the end of this year but is that in line with the expectation in terms of spending and delivery?

On Oberstown, it was remarked that there may be a deficit in spending, and the Minister referenced design issues. I found that interesting because queries were raised by the staff, and I am aware there are ongoing industrial relations issues in Oberstown, about the design and layout of the building. Is it the case that some of those concerns were taken on board and the design is being revised on that basis or are there more mundane reasons for any of the design delays?

I have two more questions. On the youth justice side, I may be mistaken about this but is there any responsibility under that programme for the Garda youth diversion project?

If so, what is the level of spending on that? Will consideration be given to increasing it for next year given the spike in crime levels in a number of localities?

My last point on the school completion programme is one I raised recently during our questions. Is that budget likely to be used in its totality or will there be a deficit?