Vol. 566 No. 5
106 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if the provision of a pre-school place can be arranged for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 who has Williams syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13268/03]
The health services do not have responsibility for the provision of pre-school services for children. However, health boards and specialist agencies in the health field have over the years developed some specialist pre-school services for children with disabilities and also facilitate, where possible in certain circumstances, children with disabilities or those from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing community and private pre-school services.
The development of policy and services for pre-school children, including those with disabilities, is a matter for the Department of Education and Science. I assure the Deputy that my Department, together with the health boards and specialist agencies, will provide whatever assistance they can to that Department in this matter.
