Vol. 439 No. 5
228 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to assist the establishment and running of playgroups, particularly in urban areas where there are special needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Under the Child Care Act, 1991, responsibility for the provision of pre-school services, including playgroups, for children who are disadvantaged, rests with the relevant Health Boards.
However, as Minister for Education, I am committed to the development of education services for such children. In pursuance of this commitment, as a first step I have decided to establish pre-school projects in a limited number of schools in the current year.
It is my intention that these projects be located in areas of particular disadvantage and that they will make use of a developmental approach to the needs of very young children, with qualified teachers and with the active co-operation of parents.
