Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party)
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16. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an overview of the new equal start DEIS model for childcare; how many services are included; what additional supports are provided; how the model can tackle child poverty; what future expansion of the model is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43341/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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In September 2024, my Department commenced the roll-out of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.

Equal Start includes a suite of universal supports, child-targeted supports, and setting-targeted supports to ensure every child and every early learning and childcare setting will benefit from a continuum of supports that reflects a continuum of need.

Targeted measures includes a specific focus on key groups including children living in disadvantaged areas, Traveller children, Roma children, "sponsor" children availing of the National Childcare Scheme , children experiencing homelessness and children in the International Protection system.

790 services have been targeted with over 721 services have completed the sign up process thus far.

Equal start will roll out in phases. I have targeted services with the highest level of need in the first phase.

For the 24/25 programme year this includes additional staffing supports providing for a 15% increase in staffing hours for Tier 1 services, and 8% for Tier 2 services based on the minimum staffing required under regulation.

I have also made provision for additional supports for Traveller and Roma families delivered through Better Start and Tusla, language and literacy measures including the roll-out of Early Talk Boost,

I was pleased secure a second wave of funding in Budget 2025 to provide for

• An additional Nutrition Programme in priority ECCE only services;
• The development of a Parent Community Coordinator post to enhance parental engagement in services;
• The update and roll-out of Diversity Equality and Inclusion guidelines and training.