Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 8

Written Answers. - Pre School Programme.

Paul McGrath

Question:

58 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education if Irish has been excluded from the programme of new pre-schools in the early start pilot project; if consultations on this omission were held with Bord na Gaeilge; and her views on whether this demonstrates a change in policy by her Department. [1145/94]

Mary Harney

Question:

65 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education the reason she does not intend to include Irish as part of the Department's early start pilot project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1054/94]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

134 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Gilmore den Aire Oideachais cén fáth nach bhfuil i gceist ag an Roinn Oideachais an Ghaeilge a chur san áireamh sa chlár a bheidh á chur i bhfeidhm sna Réamhscoileanna atá á mbunú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [502/94]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

139 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has for the early start programme of preschool education; the total budget; the number of children likely to benefit; if her attention has been drawn to criticism by those involved in community playgroups of their exclusion from the programme and the concern expressed by Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge regarding the exclusion of Irish from the programme; her response to these points; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1251/94]

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

154 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education when the advisory committee on pre-school education will be established. [1291/94]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take questions Nos. 58, 65, 134, 139 and 154 together. Tá áthas orm a chur in iúl don Teach go mbeidh úsáid na, Gaeilge ar chlár na réamhscoileanna. Úsáidfidh na múinteorí an Ghaeilge go neamhfhoirmiúil, de réir mar a oireann, ina gcumarsáid leis na páistí. Cuirfidh siad ábaltachtaí agus ulmhacht na leanaí sa mheá sa phróiséas seo.

I would hope that this approach will result in the pupils developing a basic familiarity with the language and some practice in its informal use which will be of benefit when they transfer to infant classes. The operation of this approach will be monitored on an ongoing basis. A sum of £344,000 has been allocated to the pre-school programme in the current year.

The programme will initially operate in eight locations which have been targeted because of the high level of disadvantage in the area in question. Each of the eight pre-school centres will cater for up to sixty pupils aged between three and four years. Each centre will consist of two classrooms and each classroom will have the services of a fully qualified primary teacher and a special needs assistant.

A capitation rate of £55 per child will be paid to the board of management of the base national school to which the pre-school is attached. In addition, a start up grant of £4,500 per classroom will be made available to each centre to enable them to purchase the necessary equipment.

I am fully aware of the important role played by existing playgroup services and it is certainly not my intention that the new pre-school programme should compete with these services in any way. Indeed. I consider that the new pre-school programme will complement existing initiatives in the playgroup area. Now that the pre-school programme has been put in place, arrangements are being made for the establishment of the advisory committee to oversee the operation of the programme.