John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Ó Broin has set out clearly the role of the Carline Learning Centre, which we had the opportunity to visit last week. I reiterate that the children who are attending the centre, of whom there are approximately 50 at any given time, are dealing with a range of issues. The reality is that without this facility, they would be excluded from education. The centre's outcomes are very successful. As Deputy Ó Broin indicated, having done the junior certificate, more than half of these children return to mainstream education. The Deputy pointed out clearly that there is an issue regarding the condition of the physical structure of the building and, while we have received a reply, the various funders are washing their hands of it because it is funded in an unusual manner. There are probably four primary funders, including the education and training board, the local drugs task force, Tusla and the Department.

The primary concern is for the children, who range in age from 13 to 17. There is an obligation on the State to ensure they receive an education. Most of those children are obliged to attend an educational facility. They are not of an age where they can leave that environment, yet no one is addressing the issue of providing the capital funding required. Most of the funding the centre gets goes on current expenditure and staff wages. The challenge is that the current building is not fit for purpose and without the Minister taking a proactive role and addressing this issue, the future of this institution is of concern to us.

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