Vol. 499 No. 3
353 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the areas of responsibility, if any, his Department has with regard to the Government's policy on children; the areas of responsibility, if any, his Department has with regard to the Government's policy on the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2747/99]
While not having the lead role in addresing the specific issues mentioned in the Government's Programme under the two headings to which the Deputy refers, my Department has an essential contribution to make in these areas.
It is the responsibility of my Department to ensure that there is available to each person, including every person with a disability or other special need, a level and quality of education appropriate to the needs and abilities of that person.
In discharging its responsibility through the delivery of education services from pre-school to adult education, my Department ensures that developments in the child protection and care areas identified in the Government's Programme are fully taken on board.
In addition, my Department is engaged in implementing the range of specific measures relating to educational provision which have been set down in the Government's Programme. The measures in question include recognition of the important role of parents in the education of their children.
Following the National Forum for Early Childhood Education held last March, I announced the preparation of a White Paper which will set out Government policy in this regard.
As far as the family specifically is concerned, my Department was represented on the Commission for the Family, under the auspices of the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs. The Commission reported last year, and its report focussed on a number of aspects of education, including early education and socio-economic disadvantage.
