Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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519. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Early Years strategy will be compiled following the publication of the report of the expert group on the Early Years strategy. [54040/13]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Following the announcement of the preparation of Ireland’s first Early Years Strategy, I appointed an Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Dr Eilis Hennessy of UCD, to advise the Minister and her Department on recommendations for inclusion in the Strategy. The work of this Group has concluded, and their comprehensive report, ‘Right from the Start’, was launched recently.

A wide range of recommendations is set out in the report for consideration, covering issues that affect Ireland’s youngest children and their families, including early childhood health, support for parents, and ensuring quality in early years provision. The recommendations in the report are being considered within my Department. I recently held a consultation event at which key stakeholders from a wide range of relevant areas examined the recommendations and considered whether other issues needed to be considered for inclusion in the Early Years Strategy. The report and these deliberations will contribute substantially to the final draft of the new Strategy.

The Early Years Strategy is one of a number of detailed strategies under the National Children and Young People’s Policy Framework 2014-2018 which is nearing finalisation. This will set out the overall principles, vision and outcomes for children and young people and will guide actions across Government over the period 2014 to 2018. I hope to publish the Policy Framework early in the New Year. I expect that the Early Years Strategy will be finalised and published shortly thereafter.