Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are now in public session. We will discuss the early years strategy with the Early Years Expert Advisory Group and the Centre for Effective Services. I welcome Mary McLoughlin, Eilis Hennessy, Toby Wolfe, Nuala Doherty and Stella Owens. I will detail your individual expertise and portfolios when I invite each of you to speak.

I apologise for the lack of members present. We have just had a long and detailed session on the Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, and members had other commitments.

This meeting has been called as a consequence of the launch by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs of Right from the Start, the report of the expert advisory group established to make recommendations for Ireland's first ever early years strategy, which the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is preparing today. As part of this meeting we will receive an update on that and will consider the latest recommendations and examinations of the challenges and issues we face in implementing the strategy. We will also discuss the benefits of early years interventions. Members will also have the opportunity to raise issues relating to the strategy.

We have received apologies from Deputies Robert Troy, Catherine Byrne, Ciara Conway, Regina Doherty and Senator Jillian van Turnhout. I welcome our guests and witnesses.

Witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to this committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in respect of a particular matter and they continue to do so, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Members are reminded of the long-standing ruling of the Chair to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

I call on Mary McLoughlin, principal officer at the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, to make her opening remarks.