Ivor Callely
Question:19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to improve and extend pre-school education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17994/96]
Written Answers. - Pre-School Education.
My Department's role in the pre-school area centres on the delivery of the Early Start Pre-School Programme. This programme is currently focused on schools serving urban areas which have been identified as being particularly disadvantaged. The early start pre-school programme was first introduced in 1994 with the establishment of pre-school projects in eight locations and extended in 1995 to a further 32 locations. This brought the total number of pre-school classes now in place to 56. The classes in question have a capacity to cater for up to 1,680 children.
I have established an expert monitoring committee to oversee the operation and future development of the early start pre-school programme. This committee is representative of the partners in education and a wide range of interests involved in the provision of pre-school services. I have also arranged to have the project evaluated by the Education Research Centre in Drumcondra and this process is continuing. Any decision on further expansion or improvement of the programme will have regard to the outcome of the evaluation exercise, the advice of the monitoring committee and the question of resource availability.