Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Deputy's questions. In my initial reply, I tried to outline the various structures and conversation paths that have been established in terms of a better, deeper and more frequent dialogue between the sector and my Department at national and community or local levels. That is an improvement, and significant changes have occurred in recent years in that regard. I am, therefore, confident that this will bear the fruit for which we are hoping. The communication channels are operating in different ways and at different levels.

As to what has been requested or is being considered, we undertook a major reform of targeted youth funding. That has created many concerns and there has been much dialogue in that regard. We are moving towards full implementation of the reform. The need for an ongoing dialogue at different levels is especially critical now.

See this speech in context