Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

On youth work, I know it has only been part of the Department for a month. I look forward to seeing how that is elaborated upon in the budget. I cannot see the specifics of how it will work with youth work included in the Department.

Youth work is fundamental to a functioning society. Every time I go to a community and safety forum in Dublin city, who is there? The Garda, Dublin City Council and youth workers. They are fundamental yet they struggle to get premises and to keep staff because it is so expensive. I am a Dublin TD but I know this is replicated elsewhere, particularly in other cities. The cost of living is so high and youth services are stuck for funding. How does the 9% increase the Minister referred to compare with pre-austerity budgets? I am sorry if I am putting her on the spot. She can come back to me on it, if she needs to, at a different time. I would love to see it brought back to pre-austerity levels. They were struggling then. Then there were cuts and funding has not really increased since. How far are we from bringing it back to where it was and then increasing it for where we are now?