I begin by thanking our school principals, teachers and non-teaching staff for the fantastic work that they do in supporting the children and young people of West Belfast. It is also vital that I highlight the work carried out by our informal educators, who work tirelessly across my constituency in the statutory and voluntary sectors. Their immense efforts to impact positively on young lives must not go unrecognised. Youth workers have faced difficult times that include job insecurity, and many experienced youth workers have left the profession in recent times.

The informal education sector is uniquely positioned to engage young people who have fallen away from formal education and become disconnected from their community. For some, that path has led to destructive decisions. That is why the work of groups such as the Attach programme's youth work team in West Belfast was so vital. Its outreach efforts helped steer vulnerable young people towards positive decisions and re-engagement in constructive life opportunities. The cut to its funding, however, dealt a massive blow to its ability to make an impact in West Belfast in recent times.

I was in the Balmoral Hotel when our community came together: our community groups, the PSNI, political reps and youth workers. The fear was that all the great work that was being done would unravel in the time ahead, and, unfortunately, we have seen that in recent weeks with increased attacks on Glider services. When the Attach team was operational, they were only a phone call away, and they would respond no matter what the circumstances were.

I can think of the most serious one in recent times: a riotous situation that took place over a number of nights on Lanark Way. It was the youth workers who led the way in taking our young people away from that situation. We are now starting to feel that coming into our community, again. It is not as serious as that, but when you see attacks in our play parks and at night, that is a real growing concern.

I ask the Minister to work with the Education Authority and to look at this particular programme, because it was unique for West Belfast. It had full community buy-in and wrap-around support, and they were the front face of who you went to when children were in a vulnerable situation. Investing in those services is an investment in the well-being of our youth and the future prosperity of West Belfast. I urge the Minister to support this programme and the many others that transform young lives through education, mentorship and community engagement.