Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an tAire Stáit, Pádraig Ó Ciardha. I have sympathy for the Minister of State because he has to listen not just to speakers on this side of the House but also Members from both his own and the Green Party who are lamenting the work of his senior Minister. It is not the fault of the Minister of State because he is not the Minister responsible. I wonder what Piaget and Erikson would think of this debate. Senator Boyle referred to the issue of cognitive development and he quoted an infamous British psychologist. Cognitive development is important but so too is child-centred education and child care.

This debate should consider a holistic approach. I proudly acknowledge the immense investment in child care in the past decade or more and a structure has been established. I congratulate all Governments who have been responsible. However, it has been a case of playing catch-up. The parents of this country were the ones who created the wealth to allow for investment in child care.