Ms Marian Quinn:

Yes, we are in regular contact. This, however, is not just specific to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It is Government specific. As Ms Byrne said earlier, it will require a substantial amount of investment. We are talking billions of euro. It is not something that can be done by a single Department. There has been a massive increase in the level of investment - I believe it is a 141% increase - while the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has been in existence. When one is increasing from a very low base, however, any multiple of increase will still be very low, relatively speaking. We are communicating. There have been repeated budget submissions and engagements. The Department is well aware of the level of funding, and it would also be able to identify the level of funding that might be needed by the Department to get where it wants to go.

It is about convincing the Department of Finance and all the other Departments that are around the table of the level of investment that is needed. One Department cannot do this by itself.