Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that the inclusion of children with additional needs at all levels of the education system is a key tenet of Government policy. Early Childhood Ireland are looking for a funding stream of €36 million for the provision of SNAs for pre-schools. I'm not in a position to re-direct €36 million of my budget and I am not convinced that there is sufficient evidence that the provision of SNAs is the most effective means of supporting pre-school children with additional needs.

There is a commitment in the Children and Young People's Policy Framework to develop a plan for the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school and Early Years settings. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility and will be working closely with my Department and the Department of Health. The expected deliverables from this body of work should include an agreed framework for the allocation of resources for the inclusion of pre-school children with additional needs in main-stream early years settings.