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

We need more integration and more co-ordination. I am aware of a particular town where a variety of services are not in contact with each other or even aware of each other's existence. I have had several such experiences in the past two years. It was clear from the child death report, which mentioned a family that was dealt with by 14 different agencies, that there is a need for co-ordination. I do not think there is a need for any kind of "chilling effect" on these organisations. We want a good partnership between the organisations we are funding and the priorities of the new agency. That is the reality of the current situation. It is the right thing to do as well. There is no need for concern. The new reality involves more co-ordination and more engagement between statutory and voluntary bodies. The goal of the new agency is to facilitate such integration.

Senator Hayden spoke about parenting and about the past failures of the State. Her point about the need for more engagement with parents is important in the context of early intervention. It is increasingly emerging from the studies that we need to work with families and parents, rather than merely taking the children for a number of hours each day or week. There is scope for us to do more work with parents than we are doing at present. It would be good to see more parental engagement in the course of the universal preschool year. That involves the provision of resources, staff time and training. It is happening but it is not as universal as I would like it to be. Many of our centres are working very well with parents. A substantial number of parenting courses are taking place throughout the country. The Senator also mentioned the cutbacks in youth funding. I want to try to preserve front-line services. There has been some misunderstanding about the amounts that are involved. I am in discussions with the youth organisations, including the City of Dublin Youth Services Board, on the matter.

I agree with the other points that were made about trying to keep the focus on the front line. A number of Senators, including Senator Barrett, asked whether there should be a focus on direct cash payments or on early investment. Some speakers suggested we should focus on both. We need to have a discussion on this matter. Ideally, one would do both. A number of Senators mentioned the child poverty statistics in this context. The current rate of absolute poverty is approximately 9.5% and the current rate of consistent poverty is approximately 18.9%. We will publish some research on this tomorrow. As far as the Government is concerned, the best way to help these families is to create jobs. The best way out of poverty is to be able to access work and employment. That is why we have to keep a focus on job creation. International evidence suggests that the kind of investment in early childhood about which we are talking today is a great support to the families which are most at risk.

Senator Eamonn Coghlan spoke about the need to work with preschools on physical activity. It is a very good point. We need to think about the quality of the experiences of children who have been in these services for a year or two. I refer to their experiences at every level, including emotionally and physically. There is a need for us to consider the kinds of interventions we are making.

Senator Zappone asked about the increasing use of the more sophisticated evidence base that is coming from Washington, for example. I mentioned the research work that has been done there. I believe we should move in that direction. I am a big fan of that kind of research because it is the best way to convince all areas of government. It needs to be much more integrated into our budgetary strategy.