Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I support the call for a debate on an Oireachtas committee on how we protect children in the future. Noting many of the points raised, it is a very big issue because it concerns the role of the family. It also needs to take into account today's society and how we should go about this. There are also questions in relation to adoption and fostering as well as many other areas. By all accounts the document on how we protect our children is very good. I have not read it yet since it just been published, but I believe it justifies an early debate on this question.

An issue close to my heart is the role of the VECs in education, and how local democracy can be strengthened. It worries me that we may be rationalising some of the VECs. I identified the concept that the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, is talking about. Having said that, a debate is called for before final decisions are made on the rationalisation of VECs. I should like to see their role enhanced if we are talking about local democracy, and seeking to decentralise so that education becomes part of the community and how best it might be served in this regard. This calls for a debate as well before any decisions are made by the Minister in relation to finalising plans on whether to rationalise or enhance the role of smaller VECs in another way to ensure education is not neglected.