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

I thank the Minister. In the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and the Minister we have two people who fully understand the problem and who want to make a change. Recruitment is a challenge throughout this and other sectors. We see advertisements on the sides of buses looking for bus drivers. I was at a community employment recruitment fair yesterday. We know that recruitment is an issue. I welcome the steps taken to go abroad. There does seem to be some capacity in the private sector. I am loath to lean on the private sector when we should be building capacity in the public sector but we have to find solutions for these children as 30% is a significant number. I understand that in Finglas the vacancy rate is 50%. It has to be addressed and we should try where we can to seek capacity to address it. It is not a long-term solution, which is to build up the service. The group in Ballymun and Finglas and I would very much appreciate anything the Minister can do.

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