In order to tackle early school leaving, we need to tackle disadvantage within our school system. We welcome the Government's commitment to follow through on measures aimed at tackling disadvantage in our schools. The programme for Government commits to maintaining the free pre-school year in early childhood care and early childhood care and education and commits to considering the recommendations of the review of the DEIS programme. While it is too soon to assess the impact of the free pre-school year, the take up of the scheme has been considerable and it is welcome news that the Government is proceeding with this important initiative. The introduction of the free pre-school year has been widely welcomed by people, in particular by child care providers and by many parents. The initiative has been mentioned to me many times by parents since its introduction a relatively short time ago. It is an innovative and a positive measure which has produced very good results.

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