Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I thank Senator Browne for sharing his time.

I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, on his work and that of his Department. It was very necessary that such a ministry be provided to co-ordinate all the services for children. The UN report states that further co-ordination of services is necessary and I would welcome further work on this aspect.

I acknowledge that much has been done and the report compliments Ireland in many areas. However, much more needs to be done. This is a glib saying but we are still playing catch-up in many areas. In this day and age in Ireland, some children are still living in poverty and some children are still in overcrowded classrooms. As the UN report pointed out, they are in classrooms where many of the facilities and materials are being provided by the parents because we are not providing sufficient funding to allow schools — primary schools in particular — to function at the desired level. They lack the necessary funding to provide all the materials they need. We should not be dependent on parents to provide that funding. The very parents who cannot afford it have children who need those essential tools in a school. Those parents should not be asked for money to provide necessary classroom tools. That is an area of concern that has been highlighted.

Likewise, the report highlighted that we are playing catch-up in regard to our recreational and play facilities for children. I recognise what the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, has done in bringing about the report. However, while we can write aspirational reports outlining our plans, difficulty is met locally when attempts are made to introduce playgrounds. We are also considerably behind in the area of school gymnasiums.

The report also expressed concerns about the children of immigrants. We have a new challenge to ensure they are fully integrated into the community and are given the resources needed to improve their English. Children with disabilities and Traveller children are also referred to, and we are playing catch-up with respect to them as well.

I am concerned about children in care and especially children who leave care centres. Who is responsible for young people who leave such a care institution? The report highlights this problem which needs to be given attention. Reference was also made to how we deal with young people of 16 or 17 who get into trouble and who are sent to prison or St. Patrick's Institution where no educational facilities are provided for them, which is disgraceful. There are so many areas in which we need to improve.

The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, mentioned that the social services inspectorate that visits care centres and places of detention for young people has been established, which is true. However, I would like to see this put on a statutory basis.