Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise the issue of the report published yesterday on the deaths of children. I am involved in a small way with a centre dealing with young people who drop out of the education system. It is a life centre which looks after 15 to 18 young people. Its funding falls between the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Children. Previously we were very fast to criticise religious orders. However, the only funding being provided to keep the centre going is €50,000 per annum from a religious order. All of the young people have been involved in either drugs or drink and they have no family support at home. People work on a voluntary basis, including more than 18 qualified teachers. The report published yesterday showed people fall between a number of agencies with tragic results. Unfortunately, certain young people do not fit into the education system. There is not a huge number of them, but the number is significant and we need to take action on it. It is important that one Department takes responsibility for it. When we debate the report, this issue needs to be dealt with and decisions need to be taken so we do not have a repeat of what has happened in the past ten years. This matter is urgent and it should not be left for another report. Now is the time to take action on it. The report will be debated by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children this morning. I hope the publication of the report will bring about positive results. What has occurred is frightening and it is important that it is not repeated in the next ten years. It is important that we debate the issue as soon as possible.