Recent submissions
Start Strong analysis of Budget 2012 
16 December - Analysis of Budget 2012. Start Strong was relieved to see the Government’s commitment to maintaining the Free Pre-School Year as universal and free, demonstrated in Budget 2012. Continued funding for the scheme is especially welcome in the context of a Budget that involved widespread cuts. Many of… Read more
Pre-budget submission for Budget 2012
November 2011 - Start Strong recently made its Pre-Budget Submission for Budget 2012. The upcoming Budget seems to offer the Government little scope for good news. But children's early care and education could be just the sort of good news the Government wants, as we know from research that investment… Read more
Submission to DCYA on its Statement of Strategy 2011-2014
October 2011 - The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is currently preparing a statement of its strategy for the next 3 years. Start Strong recently made a submission to the Department outlining our views of key issues the Department should bear in mind as it plans its work. Read more
Submission to Comprehensive Review of Expenditure
July 2011 - In our submission, we urge the Government to use the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure to refocus public spending towards prevention and early intervention. If the Government is to do more within limited resources, it must put prevention and early intervention at the heart of its reform agenda. Read more
Start Strong Analysis of ‘Towards Recovery: Programme for a National Government 2011 – 2016’
The new Programme for Government contains several positive commitments for young children. Read more
Submission on the Draft National Plan to Improve Literacy and Numeracy in Schools (January 2011)
Start Strong's submission to the Department of Education and Skills on the Draft National Plan to Improve Literacy and Numeracy in Schools. Read more
Start Strong analysis of Budget 2011 (December 2010)
Start Strong's analysis of Budget 2011. Read more
Pre-budget submission (November 2010)
Start Strong's Pre-Budget Submission (16 November 2010). Read more
Submission on the review of child income supports (March 2010)
Start Strong's submission to the Department of Social and Family Affairs on the review of child income supports. Read more
Submission on a Workforce Development Plan (September 2009)
Start Strong’s recommendations on what should be included in the forthcoming Workforce Development Plan for the early childhood care and education sector. Read more
Publications
The economics of children's early years
'The Economics of Children's Early Years - Early Care and Education in Ireland: Costs and Benefits', published in December 2011, gives an overview of recent research on the economics of children's early care and education. It demonstrates the compelling economic case for Government investment in children's early years. Read more
Children 2020: Cost-Benefit Analysis
Following publication of our report Children 2020: Planning Now, For the Future, we asked Goodbody Economic Consultants to carry out a cost-benefit analysis of the proposals contained in the Children 2020 report and to estimate the potential returns to investment in the Irish context. Read more
If I Had A Magic Wand
View our latest Publication, 'If I Had A Magic Wand - Young Children's Visions and Ideas for Early Care and Education Services', in a special PDF Flip-Book. Read more
Children 2020: Planning Now, for the Future
Children 2020: Planning Now, for the Future - full report. Read more
Children 2020: Planning Now, for the Future - summary report
Children 2020: Planning Now for the Future - summary report. Read more
Planning for the Early Years
Why Ireland needs a focused and ambitious plan for the long-term development of early childhood education and care. Read more
Children 2020: Giving children a strong start in life
Explains why Ireland needs a national, 10-year plan for early childhood, and sets out the priorities that Start Strong believes should be central to the plan. Read more
Why early care and education?
Summarises the evidence on why quality care and education for young children is good for children, for the economy and for society. Read more
The foundations of growth – investing in the next generation
Explains the economic benefits of investing in young children. Read more
Archives
Start Strong's analysis of Budget 2010 (December 2009)
Start Strong's analysis of Budget 2010. Read more
Pre-Budget Submission (November 2009)
Start Strong's Pre-Budget Submission (November 2009) Read more
Budget Analysis (April 2009)
Start Strong (ICPN) welcomed the Government’s announcement in the April Supplementary Budget that it was introducing a Free Pre-School Year. Read more
Pre-Budget Analysis (April 2009)
Start Strong’s (ICPN) recommendations to the Government in advance of the April Supplementary Budget. Read more
