Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

We live in a different Ireland today from the one in which we grew up. As a parent I recognise the pressures young people face these days as a result of increased levels of prosperity. We live in a society where beauty and image are considered to be very important. The media have a major influence on the lives of young people and go a long way towards projecting this image. Like other parents, I have been told to "get a life" and "come into the real world", but we must listen to our young people and try to understand their world. Elected representatives must legislate on issues that reflect the views of today's youth.

It is well known that the experiences of childhood go a long way towards shaping our future lives. Confidence and self-awareness must be nurtured in those early years and education is the key to achieving this. We should put in place a programme that presents school as a gateway to opportunity and fulfilment regardless of our backgrounds or family circumstances. Last year, in Dublin city alone, 368 children left school before the age of 15. The number of such children has doubled in five years, which is a shocking statistic and one we must act upon now.

At present, there are 83 welfare officers for the entire country, which falls far short of the recommended figure of 360. The Government must act urgently to employ more educational welfare officers to reduce the number of early school leavers.

School programmes are required in which physical education is afforded more priority in the everyday curriculum. There is a lack of PE facilities in schools and in this respect I will cite two examples from my area. The two-hour per week slot for a PE teacher in a local school is inadequate to facilitate the 240 students. Loreto College and Goldenbridge national school have no proper PE facilities. Sports halls have been long awaited so I hope the Minister for Education and Science will consider providing them following the budget.

As the Minister of State said, youth cafés are required. Places such as St. Catherine's in Marrowbone Lane and John Bosco's in Drimnagh have begun to demonstrate their role in the community. Young people turn up to such centres every night of the week to get involved in various activities, including Internet surfing and playing music. In addition, alternative sporting venues are needed such as an all-year ice skating rink and swimming pools. I was delighted to see that Dublin City Council overturned an earlier decision not to introduce the ice skating rink this year. I am amazed by the number of children from my area who are thrilled and excited to use the ice skating rink. We are a prosperous country and it is about time we had such rinks and swimming pools in most parts of the city rather than just in certain areas. We need places where young people can congregate and socialise in a healthy, alcohol-free environment. They should be able to meet their friends in the evening without having to stand on street corners.

Health awareness is another neglected part of the education system. While a mandatory RSE programme is in place, in reality it is not happening on the ground. The programme should be reassessed to reflect the issues that currently affect young people. In addition, the CSPE programme should be reintroduced for the senior cycle year. However unpleasant it may be for parents to contemplate, children as young as 11 years of age are now sexually active. The consequences and risks must be spelt out more visually through media advertising to highlight the emotional dangers and health risks of sexually transmitted diseases.

We can discuss these matters as long as we like, paying lip service to them, but without a willingness by Ministers to accept responsibility and take action, the problems will continue. The Government should act quickly to ensure that children will have an improved role in our society. I urge the Government to accept the amended motion moved by Deputy Shatter.

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