James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will give the Senator a very straight answer to that question. Absolutely. Tusla may - that is what it says - support them. So it has the authority to do so. There is no question about that. As for the Senator's interpretation of my previous comments, we are talking about limited resources as is always the case. In such circumstances, there always has to be a balancing of what is available to those who may be in further education and those who need other supports. Of course, we are very strongly supportive and very proud of the fact that many of the children in care are in education when they leave and that they remain in education. We know that people who go to third level or complete secondary education have better employability and better prospects. There is no doubt that we want to support people in this regard. I revert to the fact that, as it would create an additional charge, inserting the word "shall" is not a step that would be taken without having regard to the Department of Finance and Government generally.