Liam Quaide (Cork East, Social Democrats)

I visited CDYS in Mitchelstown on two occasions recently and I was hugely impressed by the work it does with young people, not just from north Cork but also from parts of counties Limerick and Tipperary. It also works closely with young people from the asylum-seeking and refugee community living locally. The staff exhaust all grants available to them to maintain an innovative, diverse range of activities. They help young people who are really struggling to fit in or to continue their education to get back on track in life and give them a sense of belonging, purpose and connection. This is really invaluable work, far-reaching in its impact, yet it is operating on a shoestring. Its current staffing is just one full-time project co-ordinator, one part-time community employment worker and one part-time youth worker. Twenty-five to 30 young people attend every day. CDYS Mitchelstown badly needs investment in more staff. Will the Taoiseach's Government commit to a significant increase in investment in youth services in the upcoming budget? Will he give assurances that integration funding for Ukrainian young people will remain in place?

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