Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask once again about enhanced family supports, which are absolutely necessary for those children and families who are the most marginalised and, at times, the most chaotic. We have all seen programmes that have worked in recent years but sometimes the resources get spread too thin and they do not have the impact. We have seen they can do huge things in saving kids and families from what can be incredibly difficult lives. They can save many people from the criminal justice system and they can save a lot of State resources, such as those nuclear options that are needed later. Recently, I have been dealing with an even greater number of families and communities who are being impacted by chaotic families in their own areas. We do not have the necessary supports, whether we are talking about the Garda, Tusla and support services, or the powers that council need to deal with this. We need a review of these circumstances. If we could put in enhanced family supports early, we could probably save ourselves from a lot of these issues. They are needed at both ends.

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