Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated the number of my little library book bags that have been distributed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First 5 My Little Library initiative offers a book bag with books and resources to every 4 and 5 year old starting school in September. The children have received an invitation through their early learning and care settings or special pre-school.
The objective of this action is that all children starting school in September 2022 will have storybooks in their home and be members of their local library.
The project works like this:
Books have been selected by an appropriate committee of experienced librarians, and books and bags have been procured by the LGMA.
Insert resources have been prepared by invited partners to be supplemented at county level including information for parents on transitions to primary school from NEPs.
The Little Library invite was delivered to all ECCE services by the 30 City & County Childcare Committees. The childcare services distributed them locally to parents with children making the transition from pre-school to school in September.
Every child of 4 & 5 in ELC starting school in September got the invitation to visit their local library to pick up a book bag with books and resources on starting school. When they visit the library with their parents for their book bag they are invited to join the library.
The bags are available in English and Irish and families can select which language bag they would like.
Extra flexibility has been offered to Ukrainian families where the book bag is available to all children newly arrived in Ireland starting primary school.
So far almost one third of the 60,000 bags have been provided to the libraries with over 19,000 bag pick ups reported so far. This action will continue throughout the summer to ensure all families who wish to avail of the initiative have an opportunity to do so.
