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

I agree with the Deputy regarding prevention, not just in terms of value for money in the context of the money saved, but in terms of offering something invaluable, namely, a better outcome for a child, a fuller life, a better educational achievement and a better standard of living for the child and his or her family.

The evaluation is critical because it will form part of how this programme is mainstreamed. It will also inform what new programmes should be put in place to continue the process of evaluating, learning and reforming. This is critical.

The Deputy has rightly touched on the need for strong, evidence-based policy so that this can be put to the Departments of Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance during the Estimates process, when more funding is sought for programmes that we can show will yield the dividend we seek.

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