Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I may still be a member.

That is an enormous number of volunteers. They serve 383,000 young people in every community in Ireland. That is a great record for the council. That is why the report is so timely.

The report appraises youth work's value for money and recommends that investment in it by the State makes economic sense as well as being good for young people and the communities they live in. That is absolutely true. The more services that are provided for young people the fewer difficulties there will be for the State in the future. Youth organisations do extraordinarily good work. I know the Minister recognises that and will do her utmost to support the NYCI. Every euro spent by the State on youth organisations returns ¤2.20. That is a good investment with a good return. It has been proven in the report. This is why it is important that we maintain these services. Ireland has the fourth highest number of young people not in education, employment or training in the European Union.

I ask the Minister to postpone the introduction of cutbacks. I am sure the Minister will confirm, in her closing remarks, that she and her officials will meet youth organisations as soon as possible. That is my request, arising from the report. I hope the Minister will discuss the report with representatives of the NYCI. I am confident she will do that. In my own experience, I was always delighted to meet any organisation that had commissioned and prepared an independent report. I am sure the Minister will meet the NYCI as soon as possible to discuss every aspect of its work.