The Expert Advisory Group was established by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in June 2012. It was chaired by Dr Éilis Hennessy of UCD, and had 15 members, including academic experts, representatives of Government Departments and Agencies, and from organisations involved in early years services and supports. Right from the Start, the report of the Expert Advisory Group, was published in October 2013.

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While the Expert Advisory Group's report is in itself important, it is not yet Government policy. It is advice. The national strategy is still to be written. The value of the Expert Group's report will only be seen when its 54 recommendations are:

• Adopted by Government as firm policy commitments in the National Early Years Strategy,
• Supported by detailed plans for implementation over the timeframe of the Strategy,
• Backed by a rising level of investment in early years services and supports.