Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I am not quite sure what to make of the Minister's answer. If this service goes, it will be a major blow to an area where there is very substantial disadvantage and in which there are many vulnerable families and young people. Reviews and new ways of commissioning are fine, but this service needs to be maintained. If it is not, vulnerable families and young people will lose a vital service. The State would be cutting off its nose to spite its face. It will cost Tusla and the State more if the service is not maintained. I do not see why there is any ambiguity about this. It may be an issue that the funds have been allocated for this year, but we are very familiar with overruns in the health service and moneys being found in those circumstances. We are talking about a small amount of money in the greater scheme of things. I would like a bit more reassurance, as would the people who work in the service and the families and children who depend on it.

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