Ane early intervention programme that prepares disadvantaged children for school each morning was unveiled on Friday in Dublin by President Mary McAleese.
The Preparing for Lifeprogramme, co-ordinated by the employment agency Northside Partnership, aims to assist parents by offering them additional support during their child's formative years.
The service, funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and Office of the Minister for Children, will work with 200 families in the Moatview, Belcamp, and Darndale areas over the next five years.
The project was prompted by research done by the Northside Partnership in 2004 in three areas. It found that out of 96 children surveyed, almost 50 per cent were not ready for school when they entered each morning.
Project manager of programme Noel Kelly said: "Preparing for Life will provide a fundamental insight into the services needed during these key formative years.
“This stage is an important time in the development of a child, and it is important that they are both physically and mentally prepared for entering the school system.”