Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In addition to what I said already, approximately €260 million is invested annually by the Government specifically to support the provision of early childhood care and education through three child care support programmes. This benefits in excess of 100,000 children each year. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. The Child and Family Agency provides a range of services and supports to families experiencing difficulty, for example, the statutory Education Welfare Service has specific responsibility for the agency's general function to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education.

The youth services provide targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people and these services are funded through the special projects for youth scheme, the young people's facilities and services fund and local drugs task force projects. In addition, national and regional youth work organisations are supported under my Department's youth service grant scheme. In this year alone, current funding of €49.78 million has been provided to my Department for these schemes.

I recently visited a centre in the Deputy's consistency which is partly funded through the ABC programme. I know what he is talking about when he talks of disadvantage. I am anxious to ensure we have improvements to report on an ongoing basis.

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