Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

One parliamentary question might be an early warning system, but three might be an alarm. While I accept the response with regard to the bedding-in period, no amount of bedding-in will help to tackle the issue of the way the scheme is being applied in disadvantaged areas. Representatives from the Aisling Project, an after-school project in Ballymun, and the Poppintree Early Education Centre have told me they are having real issues. Previously they would have been able to deal directly with Pobal for children of parents who were having difficulties securing a place but now they are unable to do that. The parents in these cases are often in crisis. They face real issues and they are unable to manage and negotiate the literacy and digital literacy issues.

I accept the sponsorship scheme outlined by the Minister is in place, but public health nurses are unable to negotiate it. They are not getting the necessary resources from the HSE. Perhaps he might reflect on the questions today and look specifically at how the scheme applies in places such as Ballymun. I would appreciate it if he would come back to us on the matter.

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