Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. On an initial point, the Revised Estimate we are looking at today relates to decisions taken at Budget 2020, therefore last year. When I come back to the committee next year, I will be dealing with a full year of decisions that l will have made as Minister. The position of youth services is as of what was allocated in last year's budget. As I stated earlier in response to a question from Deputy Dillon, without making an absolute commitment, because there is a week to go, I am pushing to try to secure greater funding for youth services, particularly as I see the major benefit they offer.

I have a fairly detailed response on the query as regards Bray youth service, and I will send that to the Deputy in writing. I hope it addresses some points, but I am happy to come back to the Deputy.

I take the Deputy's point on the metrics used. If I am honest, I am not 100% sure as to how they are established, but I am happy to look at them. In my area of Dublin 15, there has been a similar situation where there has been a significant uptake of the HAP scheme, and houses can be taken by a local authority in an area, so I take on board the point made by the Deputy. I will look into what the situation is there.

I also take on board the point made by the Deputy on St. John of God. We cannot park the issue, because it is too big a service provider for too many, and across too many CHOs. It is a very significant operator in this area. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, responded immediately to the issue, and is engaging with the board to see what measures can be undertaken. I understand there is a significant deficit in the organisation, but it is engaging with the Department and the HSE, and this will continue to be the case. The issue is being prioritised and will not be parked, of which I can assure the Deputy.

On Covid-related increases in the budget, there is a significant line in early years as regards Covid, and much of that is the employee wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and so on. Hopefully that sort of financial support will not be required post-Covid. However, the provision of support for victims of domestic violence, family resource centres, and direct provision, which is outside of today's Vote, are areas in which Covid has lain bare the cracks in the system. In those areas, I would be cognisant of what we have learned from the Covid crisis, both in terms of how we operate and the costs that State, community and voluntary organisations experience.