My Department has just published a Focussed Policy Assessment of the Early Start pre-school programme. The assessment indicates that the programme continues to serve the needs of children who are in need of additional supports to develop to their full potential. The programme has particular benefits in fostering children's social, emotional and cognitive development, and in engaging parents in their children's learning. Recommendations are made to strengthen the future operation of the programme. These include measures to provide professional development opportunities for those working in Early Start units and the establishment of advisory groups in each unit to include parents. Implementation of these recommendations, in partnership with key stakeholders, will ensure that the Early Start programme continues to be my Department's flagship initiative in the pre-school sector. In the current financial climate there are no plans to extend the programme beyond the 40 units that currently operate in areas of urban disadvantage.