Vol. 458 No. 5
125 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education her views on the decision to set up her Department's early start programmes in areas where they displaced long standing pre-school playgroups rather than in areas where there was no such provision; and if she has researched the varying responses to the problem in view of the Report of the National Convention and of competent criticism. [17281/95]
I do not accept that the locations chosen for the early start programmes have resulted in the displacement of existing pre-school playgroups.
The objective of the early start pre-school initiative is to expose young children to an education programme which will enhance their overall development and lay a foundation for successful educational attainment in future years.
In establishing the early start pre-school programme, I was fully aware of the valuable role played by community groups in providing services for children of pre-school age. It is not intended that the early start programme should in any way compete with or duplicate such initiatives. Indeed, the existence of such initiatives in particular areas was taken into account in the process of selecting locations for the pre-schools.
I also point out that I have established an expert and representative monitoring committee to advise me on the operation and future development of the early start programme. Membership of this committee includes representatives of the voluntary bodies involved in providing services for pre-school children. The question of co-ordinating service delivery for pre-school children will be among the issues to be addressed by this committee.
