Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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381. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of fully rolling out equal start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45858/24]

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

790 services have been targeted, and 728 services have completed the sign-up process thus far.

Equal Start is designed to be developed and rolled out in phases. Services with the highest level of need are targeted in the early phases.

€17,185,000 has been allocated to Equal Start in 2025 raising from commitments in Budget 24 (13.4m) and Budget 25 (€4m). Full year costings of all these measures will be €25m.

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.

Provision has also been made for additional supports for Traveller and Roma families delivered through Better Start and Tusla, language and literacy measures including the rollout of Early Talk Boost.

Additional measures for 25/26 includes provision for the following new development measures:

• 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 rollout of Diversity Equality and Inclusion guidelines and training.