Cavan town disadvantage and youth services
Deputy Tully highlighted severe disadvantage in Cavan town and urged stronger youth services and youth justice supports. The Taoiseach said the Minister of State had received additional resources and also answered other late questions on the cargo boat and the former judge matter.
I thank the Deputy. I will accept those last four questions and the Taoiseach will respond. Deputy Paul Murphy used a former judge's name and made allegations. I remind him to be careful in that regard and regarding the separation of powers.
Comment on this
Maidir leis an tseirbhís bháid d’Inis Meáin, déanfaidh mé fiosrú ar an gceist. Táimid sásta aon tacaíocht gur féidir linn a thabhairt chun an tseirbhís sin a choimeád agus déileáil le cásanna na muintire atá maireachtáil ann.
Regarding Deputy Paul Murphy's question, I have not come to a final conclusion on that issue. It is challenging in terms of what is possible, given that we are talking about a retired individual here and the matter has gone to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC.
To address Deputy Tully's question, the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, received additional resources in respect of youth services, particularly for young offender programmes. The budget was also significant in terms of the expansion of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, programme. The Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, secured very significant funding, which could help in areas of significant deprivation and disadvantage in terms of additional educational support. That is a key underpinning for removing disadvantage into the future.
With regard to Deputy Bruton's point, we had an initial meeting with the chair of the media commission. Government will give further consideration to it. There are substantive issues it has to consider. We will revert back to the House when we have come to those decisions.