Vol. 487 No. 6
310 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to extend the Breaking the Cycle and Early Start programmes in schools in severely disadvantaged areas in particular to a school (details supplied) in Dublin where only 1 per cent of children continue on to third level education. [4530/98]
The operation of the Breaking the Cycle pilot project is being monitored by my Department's inspectorate and the project is being evaluated by the Education Research Centre. The outcome of the evaluation will provide a basis for considering future developments in support for disadvantaged areas.
In March of this year I will be holding a National Forum on Early Childhood Education. The objective of the forum is to allow all groups with an interest in early childhood education to put forward their views as to how best to co-ordinate and support the development of services in this area. The outcome of the forum will provide an important input into policy decisions on the future development of pre-school education services.
I assure the Deputy that the needs of the school to which he refers will be fully considered in the context of any developments which may be undertaken in relation to the above schemes.
