Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 7

Written Answers. - Education Programmes.

Eamon Walsh

Question:

139 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Education if she will introduce the Early Start programme and the Breaking the Cycle scheme in a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24 to enable this school to deal with the difficulties which exist for young pupils; if she will ensure that these services are put in place for the 1997/98 academic year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5652/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have no proposals at present to extend the Early Start pre-school programme or the Breaking the Cycle scheme to additional primary schools.

Schools were selected for inclusion in the Early Start programme on the basis of priority of need as reflected in the level of educational disadvantage of the pupils concerned. Regard was also had to the availability of suitable accommodation in schools to house a pre-school project. Unfortunately, the school in question did not have the necessary accommodation available to undertake a pre-school project at that time.

The school in question was among those invited by the Education Research Centre to apply for inclusion in the urban phase of the Breaking the Cycle initiative. All applicant schools submitted data on the level of educational disadvantage of their pupils as reflected under a range of specific criteria devised by the Education Research Centre. The centre selected schools for inclusion in the initiative on the basis of priority of need as reflected in the data submitted. Unfortunately, based on the data it submitted, the school in question was not among those selected by the Education Research Centre for inclusion in the initiative.

The needs of the school in question will be considered in the event of any further development of the Early Start pre-school programme or the Breaking the Cycle initiative being undertaken.