Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 2

Written Answers. - Education Expenditure.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

93 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the total amount allocated to pre-school education for each of the years from 1990 to date in 1997; the amount allocated in the 1998 Estimates for Public Services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21695/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

At present, my Department's main involvement in pre-school education services relates to the early start pre-school programme. This programme was first introduced in 1994. Expenditure on this programe has been as follows: 1994 — £396,686; 1995 — £1,923,008; 1996 — £2,025,251 and 1997 — £2,106,542.

My Department also provides financial support to the Rutland Street Special Education Project which caters for pre-school children. Expenditure on this project for the years in question was as follows: 1990 — £80,000; 1991 — £75,000; 1992 —£79,000; 1993 — £75,000; 1994 — £88,000; 1995 —£103,000; 1996 — £108,888 and 1997 — £92,000 to date.

In addition, a total of 56 pre-schools for traveller children have been established and are managed by voluntary bodies. My Department grant aids 98 per cent of the approved tuition up to a maximum of three hours per day for the duration of the normal school year. A similar level of support is provided for transport to the pre-school if required. My Department also provides grants towards the cost of equipping these pre-schools. Precise details of the level of funding involved in supportimg the traveller pre-schools are not readily available and will be forwarded to the Deputy.

I recently announced my intention of holding a national forum on early childhood education. My objective is to allow all groups with an interest in the area to put forward their views as to how best to co-ordinate and support the development of early childhood education services.

The outcome of the forum will provide an important input into policy decisions on the future development of pre-school education services.