Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views that special needs assistants in the early childhood care and education sector should be funded by the State; if so, her plans in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15511/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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The inclusion of children with additional needs at all levels of the education system is an integral element of government policy.

'Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures', the Children and Young People's Policy Framework, contains a commitment 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 for the implementation of this commitment. My Department and the Department of Health are working closely with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to make progress in this area.

Government investment in early childhood care and education services is funded primarily through the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The Early Childhood Care and Education programme, which is funded by that Department, includes a number of provisions that are intended to support the inclusion of children with special needs in the free pre-school year.