Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I believe in them. I have to win this debate. I urge the Government to change its mindset and introduce tax reliefs for child care and pre-school education. Everybody should be included. The approach taken must be child-centred. No child must be excluded. Children from low income families should not be excluded from all the exciting and stimulating programmes that exist for children. We now know that the early childhood years are critical for brain development.

One can tell who will end up in trouble from observing children at the age of four. It is those who are disadvantaged. The implementation of all the proactive measures to which I referred will help the country in the future.