James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that the Government's plan for economic recovery is working and that the economy is moving in the right direction. The core aim of the budget is to secure and solidify that recovery. However, we are aware that the economic recovery remains fragile. The Government's determination to ensure the mistakes of the past are not repeated has meant that some difficult choices have had to be made in framing the budget.

The 2015 Estimate for my Department demonstrates that, while operating within difficult budgetary constraints, the Government is strongly committed to delivering important reforms and service developments to support children and families. I am fully committed to ensuring real reform of child welfare and protection services and making the country a better and safer place in which to be a child or young person.

There are two elements to my Department's Vote which will amount to €1.01 billion in 2015. The Estimate for next year contains significant additional resources to fund the services and programmes provided by the Child and Family Agency. They amount to €635 million, representing 63% of the Vote. The balance of €375 million relates to other programmes funded directly by the Department.

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