Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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For another light moment, in regard to the information provided about Vote 40, I was thinking about how wonderful the difference can be when one makes a comma out of a full stop. Under Table 1 on the second page, the document states that the application of these savings measures and other efficiencies would result in a current funding provision of €400,455 million for 2013. Mr. Jim Breslin spotted it. If only.

The situation for 2013 has to be of great concern to every one of us. We are looking at not insignificant cuts signalled across the Department of Children and Youth Affairs budget. The Minister has indicated how that will be apportioned. This is a critical year for the Department, especially with the establishment of the child and family support agency. I wish to revisit my question of this day week on the floor of the House to the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who was taking the Order of the Business, with the Minister present. My question concerned the progress regarding the facilitating legislation for the establishment of the agency. In her reply the Minister, Deputy Burton, indicated that the situation was complex and was unable to give an assurance that the necessary legislation would be in place in this session in order to allow for the agency to be up and running on 1 January 2013. I ask the Minister to elaborate on this. If the agency is not to be in situ from 1 January, are there implications for budgetary provision for her Department for 2013? If it is the position that the current framework for delivery of child and family support services under the HSE will continue into 2013, will the Minister please advise how that might affect the projected provision for her Department and the provision for the services under the new agency throughout the calendar year 2013? How does the signalled cut of €4.27 million in programme A affect services for which the new agency would be responsible, and how does it sit with the fact that we - not only those from the Opposition benches but other voices - have quite reasonably referred to the implementation and the outworking of the people's wishes and the need for proper and adequate resourcing of the new agency? I would be concerned that a signalled cut is a worrying first step to take in the first year of the agency's role under the Department. I ask the Minister to indicate where all of this rests at this moment in time.

In regard to programme B and the €9.83 million signalled for the sectoral programme for children and young people, will the Minister give an indication of what cuts she anticipates for funding for youth services? I am speaking specifically in regard to youth organisations. I note the Minister made a commitment in her address to the committee that there would be no reduction for local voluntary youth clubs. What is the anticipated impact on the 31 national voluntary youth organisations which have been speaking fearfully of a 10% signalled cut? Can the Minister give an assurance that no such cuts will be made across that sector?