Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for coming in. One of our values as a party is equality of opportunity. I see the child poverty and well-being programme office under the Taoiseach’s office as the embodiment of that equality of opportunity. In order for children to have equality of opportunity they need a structure and a community that is empowered and supported especially when suffering the deprivation brought about by drugs and drug-related issues. In that regard I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, on her recent announcement of €3.5 million for the drugs task forces. I appreciate the Taoiseach’s support on the occasions when I advocated for that.

I also note that Foróige was before us yesterday. The National Youth Council will be in next week. We need to empower youth work as it is instrumental in providing that parenting model for children in communities. They do incredible and invaluable work. One of the themes is the provision of the supports that children need. I appeal that in this budget, the Taoiseach takes heed of what the Fine Gael policy group has been saying around children with disabilities, that we ensure there is either a treatment purchase scheme or a refund to parents when it comes to availing of structures and a focus on making sure that children with disabilities get a timely intervention.

In the week that is in it, for the well-being of children, they need to know that they have a secure, lifelong relationship with their parents, and children born by means of surrogacy need legislation urgently.