Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister is a strong supporter of early intervention. However, my key question is whether there is a broader view within the Cabinet on that issue. Will the Minister and the Government deliver on the national policy framework for children and young people? We have debated the whole issue of child poverty, early years education and parental supports. We need the upskilling of professionals and we also need to rebalance the current resources within the system. While I accept the Minister's point, we need to up our game and, in particular, the Cabinet needs to up its game.

On the question of research, the Minister knows some of the people I am talking about, such as Noel Kelly on the north side of Dublin. They have proved from their research across certain parts of my constituency that it works. It is not NIMBY, liberal stuff; it has been proven to be factually correct, and it is important. We have seen the reality in recent weeks. Children are among the worst affected by the banking crisis and the recession. We need to focus on this but it needs Cabinet support.

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