Minister publishes 2023 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, children and their families
Minister publishes 2023 progress report for First 5, the whole of government strategy for babies, children and their families
First 5, the ten-year Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028) was published in November 2018 setting out an ambitious programme of work over ten years to improve services and supports to young children. The second implementation plan for the strategy, covering the period 2023-2025, was published last year.
The report published today summarises recent progress in implementing the strategy, with 80% of all 2023 commitments met at this point and 95% expected to be met by year end. The Report also outlines key achievements from 2023 including:
• Additional funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks, bringing the total entitlement to Parent’s Leave to nine weeks with effect from August 2024;
• The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted introducing the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and extending breastfeeding breaks for working mothers from six months to two years;
• New measures were introduced under Supporting Parents: The National Model of Parenting Support Services;
• A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce;
• Funding of €1.109 billion was secured in Budget 2024, representing an €83 million (8%) increase on the 2023 budget allocation. Through this funding, there will be improved affordability for parents, improved availability and quality of early learning and childcare provision and additional supports for children with a disability and for children experiencing disadvantage.;
• New measures to tackle early childhood poverty were developed, including Equal Start the major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.
Speaking about today’s publication, Minister O’ Gorman said:
“As Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, I am delighted to publish the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2023 and share an update on the very considerable progress that has been made to deliver on our 2023 commitments.”
The Minister also welcomed the continued collaborative efforts and shared ambition to deliver on the vision of First 5 across Government Departments, State Agencies and the Community and Voluntary sector and reiterated Government’s continued commitment to First 5.
Minister O’ Gorman said:
“There remains an ambitious agenda ahead over the lifetime of First 5 – to 2028 – and I look forward to continuing to this work with colleagues across Government.
“I am confident that, with continued cross-Government collaboration, we will build on our First 5 successes to date to ensure all children have a strong and equal start and the opportunities in life to fulfil their potential.”
ENDS
The First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025 was launched in November 2023. It includes 125 actions to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. Some key achievements 2023 include:
• A broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring
Funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks with effect from August 2024. This increase will apply children who are under the age of two, or adopted children who have been placed with their parents for less than two years by this date. The combined durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave and Benefit will equate to 46 weeks paid leave for a two-parent family. This is supplemented by an entitlement to 16 weeks of unpaid Maternity Leave.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted on 4 April 2023. As part of the Act, the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and remote working for all employees was commenced following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), in consultation with trade unions and employer representative bodies.
• A new model of parenting support
A social campaign driving traffic towards Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services started in September 2023. The webpages are live on gov.ie and act as a one-stop shop for information on all Supporting Parents Services operating nationally.
A Parenting Support Awareness Fund has been rolled out to 10 Children and Young People’s Services Committees in 2023, delivered through Parenting Support Sub-groups. Twenty five projects also received funding under the 2023 Supporting Parents, Parent Peer Support Fund. Through this Fund, a total of €50,000 was allocated to support organisations across Ireland.
Independent evaluations of the Little Baby Bundle and Little Library initiatives were undertaken in 2023. The reports from the evaluations will be published in 2024.
• New developments in child health
A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce.
The Department of Health also completed a national standardised curriculum for antenatal education providers, as well as a national education programme for parents.
New Healthy Eating guidelines were developed to help parents and carers establish good eating habits in children and the 2023/26 Skin Cancer Prevention Plan in March 2023 with babies and young children identified as a priority group.
Five pilot postnatal hubs were opened, to provide care and supports in the community to mothers and newborns in the weeks after birth. These hubs will provide education, breastfeeding, physiotherapy, emotional and physical supports, in the community. Improvements were made to reporting on vaccination uptake in pregnancy for COVID-19, influenza and pertussis.
• Reform of the Early Learning and Care system
A Critical Incident Plan for Early Learning and Care Settings was published in 2023. This resource provides information on the kinds of support that will help children to cope better following a critical incident.
A review of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme was completed by Stranmillis University College Belfast at the end of 2023 with findings to inform work the put the programme on a statutory footing.
A working group was convened to review National Childcare Scheme sponsorship provision in 2023 with funding secured in Budget 2024 to implement recommendations from the review.
A mapping of Irish-language Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services was carried out.
A New Supply Management Unit was established in January 2024. This unit is leading on a number of actions to ensure the supply of early learning and childcare is aligned with demand.
• A package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty and disadvantage
Funding was secured in Budget 2024 for Equal Start and Phase 1 is due to commence from September 2024. Equal Start is a major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.