Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2023
234. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the targeted funding which will be allocated to early years services in disadvantaged areas which was announced as part of Budget 2024. [45674/23]
View answerI am pleased to have secured an allocation of €4.5m to commence the first phase of roll-out of the Equal Participation Model from September 2024
Work is in progress to finalise the model 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.
To support the reduction of administration for services, target services will be identified using existing data including, but not exclusively, the Pobal HP deprivation index within an evidence based identification process. There will be no application process.
The design of EPM is being finalised based on extensive feedback and consultations with educators, parents, providers and representative organisations. The detail will be published in early 2024. It will seek to reflect the concerns around the additional complexity and staffing requirements of supporting the inclusion of children who may be experiencing disadvantage.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach.
