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	More than &euro;1.5m is to be invested in a scheme which helps children with disabilities enter childcare.</p>
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	The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs is announcing the expansion of the Access Inclusion Model today which ensures children with disabilities can fully participate in the free pre-school years.</p>
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	Some 18 new posts are to be created to offer help and support to children, parents and childcare providers.</p>
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	Minister Katherine Zappone says the scheme is hugely beneficial for children with disabilities.</p>
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	&quot;They do feel that they&#39;re part of what&#39;s going on, that they are being welcomed,&quot; she said.</p>
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	&quot;I&#39;ve had one of the parents come up to me to say that from the very moment her child walked into that pre-school service, with the support of this model and people additionally trained to know how to include the child into the setting that they just never looked back,&quot; she said.</p>
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	&quot;And they&#39;re absolutely taking off in terms of their development and learning.&quot;</p>
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	(Published by the Irish Examiner on the 8th February 2017)</p>
<p>
	<a href="https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/scheme-to-help-children-with-disabilities-enter-childcare-to-be-expanded-776110.html">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/scheme-to-help-children-with-disabilities-enter-childcare-to-be-expanded-776110.html</a></p>
