Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Go raibh míle maith agat. Tréaslaím leis an Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige as ucht an cheapacháin a rinneadh don choiste ghníomhaíochta maidir le luath-oideachas san earnáil oideachais. I commend the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, for announcing the early years expert advisory group. This is a very important step forward. I note the expertise of members but I raise the issue of the Irish language in early years education and the early years education in Gaeltacht areas. Having made that point, this is a very welcome step. It would be helpful if the Minister were to come to the House to outline her vision of early years education. It was also mentioned that we needed to discuss the issue of child care. While child care and early years education are linked and are not mutually exclusive, early education is a much broader area. We have a particular expertise in this field. Members have worked in this area and have been involved with community child care committees and could bring a lot to the debate. It would be pertinent to have the Minister's vision on some of the child welfare cases we read about in the media.

Bheadh fáilte ann roimh dhíospóireacht den chineál sin, go dtiocfadh an tAire isteach sa Teach go bhféadfaimis go háirithe an straitéis nua seo atá á forbairt aici a phlé i gcomhthéacs na Gaeilge chomh maith agus cén saineolas atá ar an gcoiste seo a bheadh in ann déileáil le naonraí agus Gaelscoileanna.