Vol. 526 No. 2
130 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide funding for St. Joseph's pre-school services in the School for the Blind in Drumcondra, Dublin 9 which receives no direct Government funding for its much needed service. [26105/00]
The White Paper on Early Childhood Education – Ready to Learn – sets out a blueprint for the development of early education, with the aim of building on existing provision and assisting providers to raise the quality of provision. Particular attention will be given in this regard to supporting initiatives aimed at children who are disadvantaged and children who have special needs.
Planning and preparatory work on the implementation of the White Paper is currently under way in my Department and arrangements are being made to establish the necessary structures for this purpose.
The question of funding pre-school education services will be considered in the context of the implementation of the White Paper.
131 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science when the recommendations of the planning group for a national centre for children with visual impairment will be implemented. [26106/00]
I received the report of the planning group for a National Centre for Children with Visual Impairment in September of this year. The group's report puts forward a comprehensive range of very significant proposals and these are currently being considered in my Department.
