Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the Tánaiste's answer. When I raised this question directly with the Taoiseach recently, he told me that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, would meet representatives from WALK PEER. I knew that. The Tánaiste has now told me that he has met them. I knew that also. I spoke directly to the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, on this issue. I also sent my question in writing to the Tánaiste's office in order that she would not be caught on the hop on this issue. I phoned the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, this morning to give him notice that I was raising this issue. WALK PEER is going to close its doors in the next very short period.

While the interdepartmental group brings forward its proposition, can some short-term gap-filling be done? The whole project involves €350,000. The three Ministers involved are present in the Chamber. The three of them could take that decision. This matter is being batted back and forth between me and others, including Deputy Fergus O'Dowd, who also raised this issue directly. Why should these young people who have benefited so much from this effort to liberate them and bring them into the workforce and into further education, which is a great sense of pride and relief for their parents, be set to one side? Why not take a decision and allow this to progress?

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