Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2023
166. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a service (details supplied) is included in the initial stage of the equal participation model for the early years sector. [46929/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department are progressing work to finalise the Equal Participation Model (EPM) which will aim to help children and their families who may be experiencing disadvantage to access Early Learning and Childcare settings, through a range of supports, universal and targeted.
The design of the EPM is being finalised based on extensive feedback and consultations with educators, parents, providers and representative organisations.
Target services will be identified using existing data including, but not exclusively, the Pobal HP deprivation index within an evidence based identification process.
The detail will be published in early 2024. As such it is not yet possible to comment on the inclusion of any particular service.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach.
