Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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966. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the First 5 Strategy; the work that is being carried out for children and families not offered P2 and P3 services due to a lack of public health nurses in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44948/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As my Department has not received clarification on the terms "P2 and P3 services", I am unable to provide an answer on that part of the question. However I am happy to provide an update on First 5, Ireland’s whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families.

In June of this year my Department published the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2023 which summarises recent progress in implementing the strategy, with 80% of all 2023 commitments met at this point and 95% expected to be met by year end.

The Report also outlines key achievements from 2023 including:

• Additional funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks, bringing the total entitlement to Parent’s Leave to nine weeks with effect from August 2024;
• The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted introducing the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and extending breastfeeding breaks for working mothers from six months to two years;
• New measures were introduced under Supporting Parents: The National Model of Parenting Support Services;
• A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce;
• Funding of €1.109 billion was secured in Budget 2024, representing an €83 million (8%) increase on the 2023 budget allocation. Through this funding, there will be improved affordability for parents, improved availability and quality of early learning and childcare provision and additional supports for children with a disability and for children experiencing disadvantage;
• New measures to tackle early childhood poverty were developed, including Equal Start the major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.