Michael D'Arcy
Question:95 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Minister for Education and Science the moneys designated to expand pre-school services funded by his Department which is recommended by the recent report on pre-school provisions. [25897/98]
Written Answers - Early Childhood Education.
Under the present Early Start pre-school programme, a total of 55 preschool classes are in place in 40 national schools in areas of particular disadvantage. The classes in question have the capacity to cater for up to 1,650 children in the three to four year age group. Total expenditure on this programme in 1998 will be in excess of £2 million. The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year I held a national forum for early childhood education. My objective in holding the forum was to allow all groups with an interest in this area to put forward their views as to how best to co-ordinate and support the future development of early childhood education services.
The report on the outcome of the forum has been received in my Department and is currently being considered as part of the preparation of a White Paper on early childhood education which will set out my proposals for the future development of early childhood education services. The question of future resource allocations to this area will be addressed in the context of the measures put forward in the White Paper.