Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 1

Written Answers. - Pre-school Education.

Mary Harney

Question:

39 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Education if she intends to take responsibility for pre-school education and the registration of such pre-schools; if her attention has been drawn to the number of children and the number of services involved in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10236/95]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

53 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education the steps, if any, she intends to take to provide State funded access to pre-schooling as is now being afforded at third level by her Department's undertaking to pay fees for all students regardless of means. [10244/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 53 together.

The general legislative provisions regarding the supervision of pre-school services are contained in the 1991 Child Care Act. These matters are the responsibility of the Minister for Health.

My Department provides a range of educational initiatives in the pre-school area. These include the early start pre-school programme, the pre-school service for traveller children and the Rutland Street pre-school project. Each of these initiatives has a particular focus. I do not propose to extend these services to all schools.

I established the Early Start Pre-school pilot programme in September 1995 and I propose to establish a further 25 pre-schools under this programme in the coming school year.

From September next, the special capitation grant paid in respect of this programme will be increased to £65 per pupil which represents an increase of £10 per pupil on the current rate.

A special grant of £4,500 is paid in respect of each pre-school class to facilitate the purchase of necessary materials and equipment. A grant of £1,500 is also provided to each pre-school for the development of parental involvement in the programme.

The objective of the early start programme is to provide young children with an educational programme which will enhance their overall development and lay a foundation for successful attainment in future years. The service is being targeted on areas of particular disadvantage.

My Department also provides grant-aid towards the cost of tuition for 700 traveller children attending 57 pre-schools operated by voluntary organisations. My Department also funds the provision of special transport services for the children in question.

In addition, my Department meets the total operating costs of the Rutland Street pre-school project which has been in existence for many years. The project was established to address the problems of educational disadvantage in the area in question.

I am satisfied with the level of funding provided in each of the pre-school areas with which my Department is involved.

I am fully aware of the valuable work being done by many local voluntary and community groups in catering for children of pre-school age. However, it should be recognised that the pre-school educational initiatives supported by my Department have a fundamentally different focus from the social development and care orientation of such voluntary initiatives.