Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In Tallaght, we have a new detached street work programme. Sometimes, these things are personality driven. Even if the principles are there, having the right personality in a role is extremely positive. The person currently undertaking a role as part of the detached street work programme is brilliant. During one of the protests in Tallaght, he arrived as a street worker. He engaged with six or seven young men on the march and asked them why they were there. They did not really know. I do not know why they were there, but it was probably for the excitement, which is a horrible way to put on it because it is not very exciting. I mean that they were passing the time. After that conversation, those young men have not gone to any more marches. They have enrolled in this youth worker's fitness programme and have trained a couple of times on the local football pitches. They have invited some of the young Somali men from Cookstown to come up and play them in matches. This type of activity is just not happening enough. Youth workers are sitting in their offices in their community centres and not even working their hardest to engage young men in their communities, never mind reaching out beyond that. Ms McGinley's point is important. I thank her for making it.