Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

The aim of the establishment of the Centre for Early Childhood Education is to develop a quality framework for early childhood education. The link between education and care is well proven. Children aged two years or more who access good quality early child care and education are more sociable, better behaved and better able to learn than those who do not do so.

I commend this motion to the House. The Minister and the Government have taken a proactive step forward in caring for the children of this State, who are the people who will advance the State in the years ahead. We are told that children are our greatest asset. Why should we not invest in them?