Monica Barnes
Question:71 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of new pre-school places provided by his Department since he became Minister; and the additional funding devoted to this area. [3636/99]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
My Department's involvement in the area of pre-school education is currently confined to its support for the Early Start pre-school pilot programme; the Rutland Street pre-school project; and traveller pre-schools. The number of places provided in these projects has not increased since September 1995. In addition a new child care measure has been introduced to support access of unemployed adults and early school leavers on to VTOS, Youthreach and Traveller programmes. The measure allows for direct provision of cre±che facilities, purchase of places on existing cre±ches and payment of child minders subject to tax compliance and registration under the Child Care Act.
In 1998 I held a national forum for early childhood education. My objective in holding the forum was to allow all groups with an interest in the area of early childhood education to put forward their views as to how best to co-ordinate and support the future development of services in this area. The report on the outcome of the forum has now been received in my Department. It is currently being considered as part of the preparation of a White Paper on early childhood education which will set out my proposals for future development of services in this area. In advance of completion of the White Paper, I recently announced an allocation of £1.2 million for special initiatives on early education. It is my intention that this funding will focus in particular on the development of early education services for children with disabilities. My Department is currently considering possible developments in this regard.