Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Leader for the innovative changes he has made in the Seanad this year, particularly inviting the public into the House as a precursor to the citizen's assembly. I wish to put it on the record that the Seanad has a lot to offer. We may be a House of the condemned in some peoples' eyes but I do not think so.

I wish to refer to children who are condemned into care. I started my career teaching children and I wish to mark my first year in the Seanad by drawing attention to the fact that 2,300 children were taken into care in 2011. The number of orders granted by the District Court last year rose to 2,287, which was an increase of 119% on 2010. If there was an increase of 119% in anything else, the heckles would go up. An increase of 119% in the number of children going into care is enormous. I obtained this information from the annual report of the Courts Service.

The increase in care orders may be due to the fact that 260 additional social workers have been appointed in the last year. In that context, I congratulate the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, on the work she is doing in her Department. I am seeking a debate on this issue which should also include child benefit, child care, preschool care and facilities for parents who, often through no fault of their own, cannot look after their children. I know this is a top priority for Deputy Fitzgerald but I would like a debate in this House on this issue. The number of children in care in 2010 was 5,727 and that number has increased to 6,282. Those children, through no fault of their own, are in care and we should be helping their families. I know the Minister is doing so but I want the issue included in an wide-ranging debate on child benefit, child care, preschool care and so forth. It is all very well to say that rich people get child benefit but over 60% of people in receipt of child benefit are receiving social welfare payments or disability allowance, including many single parents. I wish to see a proper debate on these matters, between ourselves and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald.