Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

I am conscious of the time, a Chathaoirligh, so I will draw my comments to a close. The co-ordination of services has been examined by the high-level working group, which is chaired by the National Children's Office under my direction. I have taken a close personal interest in the preparation of the document, which has now been submitted to the Government. There is a range of policy options in the document. First, we must make the link between education and care, and the benefits to be gained by individual children, as well as by communities and society in general. Second, we must increase the supply of appropriate early childhood education and care settings by developing capacity in the system. Third, we have to include measures which make services more affordable and, fourth, we must ensure quality is a design feature in the child care system. The high-level group has pulled these strands together and presented options for the development of a broad strategic plan for the future. That is the right way to proceed and I believe it will yield the results we all wish to see.

We cannot lose sight of one critical issue which is that children must remain at the centre of all our policies and services which affect them. Actions must be child-centred, family-oriented, equitable, inclusive, action-oriented and integrated. I look forward to the outcome of the work of the high-level group and I assure Senators that the Government is totally committed to the provision of a comprehensive service to children and families.