Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is my understanding, although it predates both of us in that respect, that the review of Youthreach was ongoing at the time the ESRI report was published. This report states that Youthreach will be taken into account. I acknowledge the report focuses very much on 13 to 15-year-olds.

The Deputy and many here have personal knowledge and have engaged with Cork Life Centre. I acknowledge the work and role of the centre and that there has been long-standing engagement between it and the Department. The priority now is to look at all provision of all centres and ensure there is sustainability from a funding point of view. That is one of the tasks, the Deputy will see from the report, that the working group will focus on, as well as that there is consistency in the curriculum that is provided for. The working group will be charged with all of that function to ensure the issues that have heretofore challenged in this area are smoothed over or worked through in consultation and in collaboration.

The bottom line is, as the report acknowledges, that there is a place for this type of education. We have consistently said and I acknowledge that everybody here has recognised that no one size necessarily suits every student. That is clear here, so a different approach is being taken. We need to find a consistency and a suitable funding model around that. The working group will be tasked with doing that work.