Vol. 496 No. 3
439 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, his Department has to fund the upgrading of pre-school playgroup services to meet the requirements of existing legislation with particular reference to the Child Care Act, 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22754/98]
My Department's responsibility in the pre-school area is limited to its involvement in the delivery of the Early Start pre-school programme and traveller pre-schools, although the Deputy will be aware of my commitment to produce a White Paper on early childhood education.
The general legislative provisions relating to pre-school services contained in the 1991 Child Care Act are the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.
