Ms Suzanne Connolly:

Grooming is something we are aware of in some of the communities in which we work. I will not mention which communities due to confidentiality, but we are concerned about the issue. With the Garda and other partner agencies in those areas, we are considering what alternative choices can be made available to children. Keeping them in school is important, or if not school, then school-type alternatives that can track these vulnerable children. Being involved in activities, be they boxing, football or something else, can keep children off the streets. We also want to consider how to support parents in this regard, but as the Deputy mentioned, that is difficult if the home environment is such that the children do not want to be at home. They are vulnerable to what the positive attention they get might afford them. We know of young children who are being given pizza to do something for people. As they get older, that becomes runners and other things.

This is something that Barnardos cannot address on its own. There would have to be an interagency approach. We have to give children alternatives. We all have to work hard towards this. Ms Kellie Harrington is an amazing role model because she talks about some of the challenges she has had in her life and what boxing has done for her, but also about how important her current job is and how she wants to keep it. The more we can get role models out there, the more children, who are being exposed to adults who want to groom them, can listen to them. They do not necessarily want to listen to a Barnardos worker, but they might listen to a local football hero or the Kellie Harringtons of this world in their communities. That is what I hope we can achieve through working together. It is heartbreaking to see innocent children being brought in and groomed and, before they know it, being caught up in criminality, and then so are their families.