Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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155. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of providing a second free pre-school year to children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8696/15]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a second free pre-school year for children with special needs would mean the putting in place of an assessment process whereby a range of childcare specialists would evaluate the diverse needs of such children and confirm diagnosis and severity of disability. I am not in a position to estimate what the cost would be but it seems likely that very substantial investment would be needed to provide an additional service to specific children.

The introduction of a second pre-school year for all children would also require considerable additional funding which is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Early Years Quality Agenda is being progressed by my Department. This involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. These reforms are key building blocks for any further extension of universal childcare provision.

I want to ensure a cohesive, whole-of Government approach current and future investment in child care services. To ensure that all the benefits of childcare investments are fully realised, future public investment in childcare must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. With this in mind, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group which will include the provisions for children with special needs. I have asked the Group report to me by the Summer.