Vol. 411 No. 1
586 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if she has reviewed her proposals and plans in relation to providing financial assistance to pre-school playgroups which are run by qualified teachers in accordance with regulations of the local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Department of Health is the Department with responsibility for pre-schools. My Department's involvement in the pre-school area is that it grant-aids pre-school provision for the children of travellers and also funds a special project catering for pre-school children from disadvantaged homes.
As the Deputy is probably aware, a child may be enrolled in a national school from the fourth anniversary of his birth. I have no plans to further expand educational provision for children under that age.
