Ms Gayle Smith:

I thank the Deputy for making the point about social inclusion. It is important that we do not just talk about financial poverty. We are talking about the implications it has on our children who are excluded from normal activities in society, such as after-school activities. I cannot put my daughter into after-school activities. These are normal activities, such as sports clubs, because for us that is a luxury. I do not have an extravagant lifestyle; I do not smoke or drink and I do not go out. We have a modest existence. It is things like that. It is hard because that social exclusion makes our children not feel valued. We need to remember that. We need to make them feel cherished and valued. Let us face it: we have an ageing population. That generation will be looking after us. I hope they treat us with more consideration than how we are treating them.