Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I warmly welcome the announcement of the memorial site in Seán McDermott Street. It is something survivors have sought for a long time. It is very good news. I also ask for more clarity on the future plans for ongoing funding for the NEIC initiative and, indeed, whether it will or could be expanded to cover other areas. It is a model that has been effective. I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Marie Sherlock in Dublin Central, who has brought to my attention the report, No Child Shall Suffer, published last year by the Dublin City Community Co-operative, which is active in the north east inner city. It really illustrates the impact of child and family poverty and social exclusion, particularly on families and children. It includes 14 stories, which are pen pictures of the lived experiences of children in the north east inner city communities, showing the need for investment in early years, after-school care and youth work as a critical part of addressing the needs particularly of children and families. I ask the Taoiseach to commit to ongoing funding for the north east inner city initiative and to tell us if it is envisaged that a similar model might be rolled out in other areas where the needs are very dire.

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