Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I welcome this report on early childhood, care and education. It is startling that the report shows that we have the highest population level since 1871, with children under the age of six accounting for 10%. The number of women working outside the home has increased by 60% in recent years. This is a reflection on the Government's poor planning, where it went out of its way to encourage more women into the workforce while not matching this with increased and improved child care facilities. The schools building programme is still in turmoil. Then there is the Government's broken promises as regards the pupil-teacher ratio, which applies in particular to younger classes. I am sure that Senator Fitzgerald, on the other side of the House, a former teacher like myself, will agree with me on that point.