Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy and I see every day when I go into schools the particular importance of early years in school for children who come from homes where there may not be many books, or where parents do not have much time to engage with children. I agree with the Deputy, and that is one of the reasons I set up the early years inspection team for the educational element. That is why we are reviewing DEIS to ensure it is thoroughly effective. From what we know, it is producing good results but it has not been reviewed since 2006.

This is absolutely crucial to children in the primary school sector and particularly the early years of that sector. Involvement with parents is another matter that we must improve in whatever way we can. For example, the parent and student charter will assist in engaging parents more in the life of the school and children in school.

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