Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I know Ms Yiasouma has led an NGO called Include Youth. I speak as a Deputy who is constantly thinking of ways of keeping people, not out of detention, but out of care so they are not under lock and key. What do we need to do? What interventions do we need to make, and how old do young do people need to be when we make those interventions? Does Ms Yiasouma have any observations from her own experience working as a probation officer, in youth services and as a social worker? Could she share any of those that would give us some perspective? The State is always reactive. I speak for myself, but this committee is proactive in terms of advocating for children. It works with the Ombudsman for Children and promulgates legislation that ensures the rights of the child are absolutely sacrosanct. Does she have any perspectives or observations on the type of early interventions this State, which is a small country, can make. I would love to hear those.