Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

One of the problems with the programme in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is that it is focused exclusively on providing additional places rather than on early education. It is expressly designed, and has been well executed and implemented by the officers of the Department, to increase the number of places. However, it is not designed to address the issues of early education which fall within the remit of the Department of Education and Science.

I have wandered from the main subject, the implementation of the Children Act. I welcome the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform's decision to conduct a high-powered review of its responsibilities under its legislation and its responsibilities for juvenile justice generally. I take this as a signal that this area will be addressed in a concrete way in the immediate future.