Vol. 483 No. 1
179 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the decision, if any, he has made regarding whether Montessori schools are exempt from part VII of the Child Care Act, 1991; his views on whether these schools provide an educational programme similar to a national school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19751/97]
The issue of the complete exemption, under section 49 of the Child Care Act, 1991, of Montessori schools from the provisions of the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations, 1996 was discussed with the Department of Education during the drafting of the regulations. It was the view of the Department of Education that Montessori schools did not provide an educational programme similar to a national school and thus it was decided not to exempt Montessori schools from the regulations.
I have received a number of representations on this issue recently and I have asked my officials to meet the Department of Education again to clarify a number of points.
