Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the early years strategy will be in place; if she will outline the various aspects of the proposed strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41917/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is developing a new Children and Young People’s Policy Framework to cover the period from 2012 to 2017. It will build on Our Children - Their Lives, Ireland’s first children’s strategy which was published in 2000.

This high-level policy framework will also facilitate the preparation of a number of more detailed strategies including Ireland’s first-ever National Early Years Strategy.

The Early Years Strategy will be developed during 2012 and will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as health, family support, learning and development and care and education and will identify the structures and policies needed to improve early year's experience in Ireland.

I have appointed an Expert Advisory Group comprising external experts from a range of specialties, including paediatrics, early childhood care and education, child protection and public health nursing, chaired by Dr. Eilis Hennessy of UCD.

A public consultation recently concluded as part of the consultation on the overall Children and Young People’s Policy Framework. There will be further focused consultation with key stakeholders later this year in relation to Early Years.