Mr. John Scanlon:

The reality is that most of the youth work that happens, including in our case, is done by voluntary organisations. They are charities with voluntary directors. Everything is channelled through that framework and, as stated, the funder sets out the terms and conditions. People are told that they must fit in a particular box or the proposal will not work and their funding will be pulled. The fact it all goes through a voluntary channel takes some of the pressure off the State. Of course it does. The terms and conditions for people are not as good, the service does not cost as much to deliver and there is far more value for money for the State, as a previous speaker mentioned. That issue should be addressed.