CHILDREN WHO are disadvantaged do not automatically get in trouble with the law as adults, Kathleen Lynch (Labour, Cork North Central) said.
Ms Lynch said she believed that education, disadvantage and justice were inextricably linked.
"I do not believe the theory, incidentally, that one can tell, at the age of six, whether a child will end up in jail," she added. "Not all children who have difficulties, or come from disadvantaged backgrounds, end up in jail."
To suggest otherwise, said Ms Lynch, was to take forward planning to unsustainable levels.
"Nonetheless, it is possible to tell which children will have difficulties because of their circumstances," she added.
"It is not always true that they will have difficulties because they come from disadvantaged areas, rather it is due to a combination of circumstances."
Ms Lynch was speaking during the resumed debate on a Fine Gael private members' motion on unemployment.
Margaret Conlon (FF, Cavan-Monaghan) said a new opportunity for the economy was in the strong number of skilled immigrants. "We should relax restrictions on immigrants who want to set up a business here in Ireland and contribute to the economy."
