Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and welcome the review. It is important that we study programmes, how they work and how we can target vulnerable young people living within the community. The major concern for those who do this work in communities is the fear that if they do not have a ring-fenced budget, if they are part of another organisation and there are demands in other areas, money may be siphoned off to meet other demands. We all appreciate the need for efficiencies and to make sure programmes are run effectively with the best outcomes for students and young people. The primary concern is that by being brought under the Child and Family Agency and because of the fact that there is no targeted, ring-fenced budget the scheme will lose out. That is the bottom line and I would appreciate it if the Minister responded to this point. I know that a review is taking place, but many of the people doing great work under the scheme would be very relieved if they could get some commitment that the budget for it would be ring-fenced.