Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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According to the report on Irish prisons, the average school-leaving age among those in prison is 14. I know it myself from youth work and the GAA. It is an awful thing to say and I am not trying to categorise anyone but I can see a young person, look at the family and say they are in trouble. Where are the wrap-around services between social workers, Tusla and the schools? I have seen brilliant sportspeople who could have played for Cork or Ireland and who, by the time they are 12, 13 or 14, are gone. They have given up sport. For many people, there are many things they can do in school beyond the academic stuff, whether it is through arts, dance or sport. When we know that prisoners' average age leaving school is 14, then the key is to keep them in school. Ms Quigley made a point about a partnership approach and working together. Surely early intervention is needed - getting to these families and getting them the supports, because the children are the victims here. They will end up in Mountjoy or Cork prison afterwards because somewhere along the line, when there was a chance to help them, we missed it.