Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Am I on my own peak? That is a good place. The fifth peak is the recommendation of the extension of the entitlement to free preschool provision. This was the subject of a debate that was attended by both the Donegal County Childcare Committee, with regard to the Indecon report, and Start Strong, with regard to universal provision. I want to get a sense from the expert advisory group on this. The Minister is wrestling with this in terms of access to resourcing. In the absence of the monetary capacity to roll out a second year of free preschool, does the expert advisory group accept the finding of the Indecon report commissioned by Donegal County Childcare Committee that it should be provided for a second year? One-year universal provision is provided across the board as it stands, but it was proposed that the further roll-out be targeted at parents and communities struggling on the margins with economic challenges if we do not have the wherewithal to roll out a second year of universal provision, which would be my natural inclination. If that were not achievable, would the expert advisory group be prepared to support such a targeted provision, and how would it see it being rolled out?

In regard to Ms Nuala Doherty's presentation, the national parenting action plan is very important. All the information is there to warrant that. Could she give us more information on where the plan is and how she expects it can be progressed in the period ahead?