Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will put the early start preschool programme on a permanent footing; and if she will extend the early start pre-school programme to all DEIS schools. [40454/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department published a Focused Policy Assessment of the Early Start pre-school programme in June 2014. This report is available on my Department's website. The assessment indicates that the programme continues to serve the requirements of children who are in need of additional supports to develop to their full potential. The programme has particular benefits in fostering children's social, emotional and cognitive development, and in engaging parents in their children's learning.

The report contains recommendations to strengthen the future operation of the programme. These include measures to provide professional development opportunities for those working in Early Start units and the establishment of advisory groups in each unit to include parents.

Implementation of these recommendations, in partnership with key stakeholders, will ensure that the Early Start programme continues to be my Department's flagship initiative in the pre-school sector.

A Forum will take place on 14th November 2014 at my Department's Dublin campus to discuss the key findings and recommendations in this report. This forum will be attended by Early Start Teachers, Childcare workers and Principals of Primary Schools which have an Early Start Unit among other relevant stakeholders.

In the current financial climate there are no plans to extend the programme beyond the 40 units that currently operate in areas of urban disadvantage.