Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:169 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide early start for a school (details supplied) in County Monaghan. [19187/01]
Written Answers. - Early Childhood Education.
The Deputy may be aware of The White Paper on Early Childhood Education, "Ready to Learn", which sets out a comprehensive strategy for the development of early childhood education for all children aged from birth to six years.
Following the publication of the White Paper, my Department carried out an extensive post-consultation process with all of those who made presentations to the National Forum for Early Childhood Education in 1998. The aim of these consultations was to seek the views of interested parties with regard to the implementation of the policies set out in the White Paper, on a phased basis, and to enable the necessary planning and preparatory work for implementation to be undertaken by my Department in line with the commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.
The question of developing and funding initiatives for particular pre-school sectors will be considered by my Department in the context of the implementation of the White Paper.
Support will continue to be made available through existing programmes such as the early start and Rutland Street pre-school projects. In addition, the State may become involved in further direct provision in certain instances, where the educational needs of disadvantaged children or children with special needs are not being met by existing State-funded services.