Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Senator's point about putting the child first. I also accept her point that investment in after-school projects such as this are, in effect, a long-term investment for the future. I advise her that the Child and Family Agency will continue to work closely with local management committees in County Louth, with schools and with the local school completion programme co-ordinators and that projects such as the one she mentioned in County Louth will be assisted throughout the process. I acknowledge what she said about the timeframe. It is important and timely that we have had the opportunity to discuss this matter in the Seanad this evening in the advance of the new school year plans being set in place to give consideration to the situation in County Louth. I hope through local dialogue between representatives of the Child and Family Agency and the school projects involved that we can meet the requirements of the young people in County Louth.