Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is very important, especially in the context of the space we are in, post pandemic - hopefully, we can say post pandemic - that a reset button has been pressed. Much of the social fabric of the country has been ripped asunder in the past year and a half. While we need to put that back together, with that comes an opportunity. The Minister referenced KDYS, which does marvellous and great work in Kerry but all our sporting organisations and community councils also do great work. Rather than youth services feeling the onus is on them and them alone to look after our young people, we should have a more collaborative approach where we interact with the established clubs and organisations rooted in every community and have a more youth-focused approach, with activities that are outside the core activities of those organisations. That will certainly be part of the solution.

I welcome the investment. Capital will also be needed to create centres in certain areas of population growth. For example, the KDYS youth centres in Kerry, and those throughout the country, are great places but we need more of them and they need to be resourced. That is not easy, but it something that is very worthwhile.

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