Vol. 497 No. 7
177 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide funding for a specialist pre-school service for children with a special need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26186/98]
The question of pre-school services for special needs children was among the issues discussed at the National Forum for Early Childhood Education which I held earlier this year. My objective in holding the forum was to allow all groups with an interest in this area to bring forward their views on how best to coordinate and support the future development of early childhood education services.
The report on the outcome of the forum has recently been received in my Department and is being considered as part of the preparation of a White Paper on Early Childhood Education, which will set out the Government's proposals for the future development of early childhood education services, including services for children with special needs.
The issue of funding the services in question will be addressed in the context of the measures set out in the White Paper. As a first step, I will be allocating £1.2 million to this area over the next two years.
