Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I would like to speak more about child care, education and life skills, but my time is limited. I would like every child to be able to cook and learn interpersonal skills, but that cannot be done solely in school, which accounts for only six or seven hours per day. The remainder of the time will shape their life experiences. I would stake my reputation on guaranteeing that if every child in disadvantaged areas could be opened up to a whole new set of experiences, it would improve the situation. These experiences, include things they will not come across at school. Some children are not skilled in contact sports, but other pursuits like orienteering, archery, sailing, canoeing and cooking would awaken a passion in such children. That training would allow them to succeed in a given area of expertise.

Children from disadvantaged areas are brought closer to prison if they do not experience success in their lives. This is not a soft, liberal view; it represents hard thinking. As the Minister of State knows, in my professional capacity I have visited every detention area for young offenders in this State. I have dealt with the management of such centres and I know how they operate. They are doing fantastic work, but youngsters must still adjust to the outside world after being released.

Let us commence all of the Act, as well as teaching parenting skills to parents. We should also apply the nursery test and examine where children come from. We must then help them to do things they never did before, including travel and sporting activities. By doing so, we could change things for the better.