Ivan Yates
Question:210 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial assistance, if any, available for the establishment of crèche or pre-school facilities. [9520/99]
Vol. 503 No. 2
210 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Education and Science the financial assistance, if any, available for the establishment of crèche or pre-school facilities. [9520/99]
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 pre-schools for traveller children. Expenditure on these services amounted to slightly in excess of £1 million in 1998.
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 and is 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. My intention is that this funding will be focused in particular on the development of early education services for children with disabilities. My Department is currently considering possible developments in this regard.