Vol. 423 No. 1
294 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health if he has received a submission from the Association of AMI Montessori Teachers of Ireland with regard to their concern for pupil/teacher ratios; if he has considered the submission and what is his reaction to the proposals contained; if he will give his view of any proposed definition of a pre-school child and the standards of pupil/teacher ratios to be applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My Department has received a submission from the Association of AMI Montessori Teachers of Ireland about the impact of Part VII the Child Care Act, 1991 on the operation of montessori schools. Representatives of the association have also had discussions with my colleague Deputy Chris Flood, Minister of State to express their concerns about the possible introduction of child/staff ratios.
Part VII of the Act contains important new provisions for the supervision and inspection of services for pre-school children. The Act defines "pre-school child" as a child under the age of six years who is not attending national school or a school providing an educational programme similar to a national school. The Act empowers me, following consultation with my colleagues, the Ministers for Education and the Environment to make regulations governing the operation of pre-school services. The association is seeking an exemption from the requirements of the regulations on the ground that Montessori schools are providing an educational programme similar to a national school. This is an issue that will be addressed in the preparation of the regulations, and I shall be guided by the advice of my colleague, the Minister for Education, on the extent to which montessori schools should be exempted.
