Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A stable childhood is the very best thing one can offer any child. However, it is realistic to point out that families do run into difficulties. The State is doing a lot to support those families. In recent years in particular, significant funding has been put into counselling services. While there are waiting lists for these services in some places, there has been a significant increase in resources for them. The 102 family resource centres have also received funding. I accept everybody is stretched at this time, but family support is an area in which the State invests heavily.

Equally, we must be realistic about the pressures on families. Take, for example, the number of children who came into care in 2011 when we had 2,218 admissions to care. Almost half of those were voluntary admissions. The others were as a result of court or emergency care orders. The second largest category of children coming into care, 772 children, or 35% of children admitted, was due to abuse. The Constitution talks about supporting the family and the primary role of the family and that does not change with this amendment. However, the balance in the Constitution through the amendment ensures that in those circumstances where families are not coping - I accept the best place for children is with their families - there is clarity around the intervention and a good alternative offered.