Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

Obviously boredom is the biggest problem for children who leave school early. They then move on to experiment with drugs, etc., and then get caught in the net of drugs misuse. The Minister of State and his predecessor would agree with me regarding the alternatives including sport and recreation which we need to develop. Any examination of those who leave school early would show that the children are not involved in useful activity with their peers. In future, I hope we will see drop-in centres etc., being created in those areas so that these children will have some place to go. If their parents are working, the children are at home on their own and boredom sets in. Is funding available for drop-in centres, particularly in RAPID areas? What is the Minister of State doing to ensure the involvement of children in some form of recreation to ensure their minds are kept active and avoid boredom leading them to experiment with drugs?

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