Needs, Provision and Recommendations relating to 0-5 year olds in Dublin’s North East Inner City

Finally, I would like to offer thanks to the CDI researchers and authors of the report, to everyone who participated in the study and in particular the parents who carried out the survey element of the research. [...] The Terms of Reference for the research sought a realistic, but ambitious, set of recommendations that would facilitate the establishment of a sustainable wrap around model of early childhood, prevention and early intervention services and supports for the NEIC, in accordance with the provisions of the State’s First 5 policy for children and families. [...] In the context of commitments to Strong and Supportive Families and Communities, the findings of this study imply that there is a considerable need to plan for and invest in additional supports for parents in the NEIC, particularly during the antenatal and perinatal stages and inclusive of a coordinated and coherent information strategy to facilitate parents’ awareness of available supports. [...] 3.1.4 The Mulvey Report and the NEIC Strategic Plan 2020-2022 Perhaps the most significant local policy documents relevant to the area are the aforementioned Mulvey Report (2017) and the resultant NEIC Strategic Plan which outlines the strategic priorities for investment in the area for the three year period up to the end of this year. [...] The purpose of the survey was to assist the research team in preparing a comprehensive overview of current ELC provision in the NEIC and outline some of the critical challenges facing the sector in the community, particularly in terms of the current reach of services; the various types of services; the funding streams being accessed by and staffing arrangements of local services.