asked the Minister for Education if he will take steps to encourage pre-school classes especially in under-privileged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pre-School Classes.
392.
Our statistics indicate that approximately 70 per cent of children aged 4-5 and practically all children aged 5-6 are attending infant classes in national schools. By international standards, these are higher figures for participation in the pre-compulsory level of schooling. The needs of this group of children are taken fully into account in the provision of accommodation and the staffing of the schools and it would appear that local school management boards do not need further encouragement in the matter. The decision whether or not to send a child to school before the compulsory age is of course, one for the child's parents.