James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sure it will.

Senator Naughton made some interesting points on Australia and New Zealand and the use of tax credits. The early childhood education programme has been a major success. To dispel any doubts anyone may have in this regard, people vote with their feet and it speaks volumes that 95% of the cohort of children who are entitled to avail of the scheme do so.

I will correct a misapprehension because speakers who refer to the OECD figures are comparing apples and oranges. The average OECD rate of investment in child care is 0.8% of GDP as compared with 0.2% here. However, the 0.2% figure refers to investment by the Department and does not include investment made by other Departments. The State invests closer to 0.45% of GDP in children, which is still not good enough. I concur with Senator Keane's view that more resources should be invested in early childhood education because we cannot correct the matter at a later stage. Children have but one chance at childhood. When we speak of children and our future, we need to remember that children are experiencing childhood now and we must ensure this time of their lives is not only safe and one in which they can develop, but also one on which they will look back with fond memories. Sadly, this has not been the case for many people in this country. It is our job, as legislators, to ensure it will be the case in future.