Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These are important areas and the Government is committed to all of them. Nutrition and a hot meal every day is the first matter. On access to healthcare, we know there are some challenges but we are investing heavily in overcoming those obstacles. Huge progress continues to be made in education and the arts. On the difficult issue of housing, we had a five-year housing plan, which was very ambitious when it was launched, and it is now delivering. It is not where it needs to be yet but we are getting there. I assure the Deputy that the concerns that have been outlined by the Children's Rights Alliance on housing for children and families is a big priority for the Government.

Another area where we need to protect children is against online exposure, which we talked about earlier, and that will be a big priority for us too. These five areas are all central to the way in which the Government needs to respond to the interests of children but there are other areas which we also need to pursue.

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