Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Deputy Rabbitte and I are happy to work closely with her on this issue. I referred earlier to the excellent collaborative work, in particular by Newbridge Resource Centre and Teach Dara. Kildare has only three resource centres while Kerry has 13. It is clear that the money does not necessarily follow the demographic profile of a county. Kildare urgently needs investment in youth workers to help support the 40,000 volunteers about whom the Minister spoke. For example, yesterday we heard in a presentation from MOJO that it urgently requires resources and funding for those between 18 and 25 years, especially young men. While I welcome the Minister's commitment to collaboration and look forward to her announcements next week, will she commit to increased supports for existing organisations that need it?

See this speech in context