Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct. Some 147,900 young people benefit from the scheme. He is also right that the review is a considerable body of work. Phase 1 has been completed. The consultation alone involved consulting with thousands of parents. It also involved consultation with stakeholders, providers in the area and with best practice with regard to what is happening in other European countries. A phenomenal body of work has been completed. Phase 2 is also complete and phase 3 has begun. It is our expectation that it will be completed in the coming weeks.

The Deputy will be aware that we introduced a temporary alleviation measure as part of the process. We did so not just for 2021 and 2022, but continued it into 2022 and 2023. A considerable body of work has been undertaken. I will accept it was possibly impacted by what is happening in Ukraine with regard to making additional services available, but our expectation is that the work will be completed in the coming weeks.

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