O’Sullivan endorses pre-school access and inclusion model

Labour Party spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan T.D. has welcomed the announcement of Minister Zappone that proposals to give children with disabilities better access to pre-school is being implemented in time for this September. Deputy O’Sullivan has also commended the commencement of the LINK programme of education for Early Years practitioners which will be led by Mary Immaculate College, Limerick together with the Froebel Dept in Maynooth University and Early Childhood Ireland.“These linked developments are important in supporting equality of access to pre-school services, including the ECCE programme, for children who have a disability and also providing opportunities for those who work, or wish to work, in the sector to receive quality education and up-skilling.“When I was Minister for Education and Skills, I had the opportunity to work closely with colleagues in the Departments of Health and of Children to develop cooperation on services for children in these vital early years. I would urge parents and providers to apply for the supports that are coming on stream.”