Richard Bruton
Ceist:156 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 222 of 4 June 1998, a budget is provided on the parents as first teachers programme. [14735/98]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
As indicated to the Deputy in my previous reply, measures to support the Government's commitment to the parents as first teachers programme will be addressed in the context of my White Paper on Early Childhood Education. Any necessary funding to support these measures will be made available in that context.
I should point out that the supplementary capitation funding of £30 per pupil which is currently paid to schools in disadvantaged areas includes an allocation of £5 per pupil to foster home/school liaison activities. The key objective of such activities is to encourage and support parental involvement in their childrens' education. In the current year a total of approximately £380,000 is being expended on this area.