Joe Costello
Question:60 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education when an early start programme will be introduced in our Lady of Lourdes National school, Goldenbridge, Inchicore, Dublin 8. [23553/96]
Written Answers. - Early Start Programme.
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 was last expanded in the 1995-96 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 further 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 the school referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of any future development of the early start programme.