Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 2

Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

17 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science his Department's target for the next three, five and ten year periods for the percentage of three to six year olds who attend pre-school or primary education; his specific participation targets for the pre-school sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7231/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Estimated participation rates in primary schools in the school year 1997-98 for the ages in question were as follows: age three and under, 1%; age four, 52%; age five, 100%; and age six, 100%. In addition, 1,076 children aged three and under and 483 children aged four were enrolled in the pilot early start pre-school programme, bringing the estimated participation rates in the formal school system to 3% at age three and 53% at age four.

The school attendance Acts currently apply to children aged six years and upwards, and the Education (Welfare) Bill, 1999, currently being debated in the Oireachtas, does not propose any change to this. However, with the exception of the children in early start, some of whom attend from the age of three, most children attend primary school from the September following their fourth birthday. I envisage that this situation will remain largely unchanged in the future and that, accordingly, the participation rates outlined above will also be generally unchanged in future years.

These figures relate only to children in the State-funded primary school system. There are substantial numbers of children who attend at pre-school facilities either in the private sector or funded by other State Departments or agencies.

The focus of the White Paper on Early Childhood Education, Ready to Learn, is on maintaining and enhancing the quality of pre-school education provision, regardless of the setting – school, home or other setting. The White Paper focuses in particular on increasing participation among the priority groups children who are educationally disadvantaged and children with disabilities and addresses the issue of direct provision where there are gaps in provision.

Planning for the implementation of the White Paper is under way in my Department.