Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:29 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science when the proposed White Paper on early childhood education will be published. [3550/98]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
I have already announced my intention to publish a White Paper on early childhood education.
As the Deputy will be aware, I recently launched the national forum on early childhood education. The forum will be held in Dublin Castle from 23 March 1998 to 27 March 1998. Following the conclusion of the national forum, an independent report of its proceedings and conclusions will be prepared by the independent secretariat and will be published under the authority of the secretary general to the forum.
I consider the national forum, and its independent report, to be a very important step in the process of developing the White Paper and I can assure the Deputy that work on the White Paper will commence without delay following the conclusion of the national forum and the publication of the independent report.