Vol. 468 No. 4
499 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Education the plans, if any, she has to provide an Early Start Programme in the 1996-97 school year for amalgamated schools (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15583/96]
I have no plans at present to extend the Early Start Pre-school Programme. The Early Start Pre-school Programme is currently focused on schools serving areas which have been identified as being particularly disadvantaged.
The programme has been expanded in the current school year by the inclusion of a further 25 pre-school projects. This brings the total number of projects now in place to 32.
I have also established an expert monitoring committee to advise me on the operation and future development of the Early Start Pre-school Programme. This committee is representative of a wide range of interests involved in the provision of pre-school services.
The needs of this newly amalgamated school will be considered in the context of any future development of the Early Start Programme.
