Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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1186. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the data-sharing agreement between her Department and the National Council for Special Education regarding the sharing of access and inclusion model data; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29696/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Work is progressing to develop a data sharing agreement between the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Better Start, and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

This agreement will formalise the sharing of data between Better Start and the NCSE for the purpose of assisting in the planning of educational provision for children moving from an early learning and care setting to a school setting. It supports the implementation of 'First 5', the whole-of-government strategy for babies, young children and their families, which highlights the importance of positive transitions throughout a child’s life and the need for timely information exchange between sectors, particularly for children with disabilities, and additional needs. Engagement between officials from my Department, Better Start, and the NCSE is ongoing, with a meeting scheduled in the coming weeks to advance the agreement.

It may interest the deputy to know that a national transitions policy statement is also being developed, and will be published shortly by my Department and the Department of Education and Youth. The accompanying implementation plan on transitions will outline the expectations being placed on preschools and schools to ensure a supported entry for all children into and through all stages of early education and beyond.