Dr. Fiona Keogh:

If we think about how we facilitate cross-departmental working, one of the things I learned about the implementation, or lack thereof, of A Vision for Change was that the Civil Service, the Department and the Oireachtas need structures to enable this to happen. It was probably a bit naive of me but I have realised that Secretaries General and assistant secretaries need these formal structures so that they can communicate. Joint funding is another way to really incentivise it. A joint funding package is put forward in respect to housing and mental health, social protection and mental health or justice and mental health and it is seen as a win-win rather than Departments having to compete and fight with each other. This is a win-win for everybody, but most importantly the people who need the supports. The First 5 strategy for young children and families is a really good example. If we can get that early intervention, we know it is such a worthwhile investment. It is that approach to very long-term, slow and incremental gains. Nobody will be able to see big things it can point to within a political term and say "we did that" but in ten, 15 or 20 years' time, we should be seeing gains across society in terms of lower levels of criminality and so on if we can get in early and really support children and families. Joint funding would be a really good way of doing that.