Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 June 2004
82 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed at a recent meeting of the Joint Committee on Education and Science at the lack of co-ordination in the provision of pre-school education in view of the large number of Departments involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19471/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibilities for early childhood education and care are divided among a number of Departments and agencies. My Department has responsibilities in the education area and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has responsibilities concerning child care. In addition, the Department of Health and Children, the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and agencies such as National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education and the National Children's Office also have major roles in this area.
In 1999, my Department published the White Paper on early childhood education, entitled Ready to Learn, which recommended greater liaison between the Departments and agencies involved. My Department also commissioned the education directorate of the OECD to review early childhood education and care in Ireland. The review, which is to be published soon, makes similar recommendations in regard to co-ordination issues in the area.
Recognising that responsibility for early childhood education and care is dispersed across many Departments and agencies, the Government established the Cabinet committee on children. To consider co-ordination issues in the child care and early education area, the Cabinet committee established an interdepartmental high level working group on child care and early childhood education in June 2003. This group, which is being chaired by the National Children's Office, is also considering the issues raised by the OECD report. The issues raised by the Deputy will be considered in light of the recommendations of the high level working group.
The Minister often refers to the fact that disadvantage is his main priority. Does he agree that early intervention is vital in giving children an opportunity to participate on an equal basis, thus preventing disadvantage at a later stage? Will the Minister give priority to this matter? So many of the Minister's answers and those of his colleagues refer to reports, studies and interdepartmental groups but we really need action.
The Joint Committee on Education and Science recently heard a number of presentations in this regard. The Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, to which the Minister referred, identified nine different Departments as having a role in the provision of early childhood education. The provision of such education is patchy, short-term and, in some cases, dependent on community employment workers who come and go. Will the Minister give some priority to this area? In comparison with other countries, does the Minister agree that Ireland is very low on the scale in providing early childhood education?
On the Deputy's last point, we are not that low on the scale in many respects. In most other European countries, the primary school starting age is six, whereas here it is four. Almost 50% of our four year olds are in school at that stage.
In large classes without the kind of attention they may need at that age.
Not necessarily, but my point is valid and worth remembering. I can get the figures for the Deputy. I accept her main point, however, that early intervention, particularly in disadvantaged areas, is essential. As soon as this report has been completed and comes to my attention, I will act on it. I do not know what will be recommended in the end, but integration and co-ordination are needed. I have already established the Centre for Early Childhood Education and Development. I have asked the National Council on Curriculum Assessment, NCCA, to work on the education curriculum for pre-school children, and that work is already under way. I agree with the Deputy on that matter. My priority in that area will not be to introduce pre-school education for every child in the State because we would end up doing only half the job. The priority will be for disadvantaged areas, from where it can spread out. The Deputy's essential point about the necessity for early intervention is well documented. I agree fully with her that it is necessary to move early on it.
Will the Early Start programme be included in the report that is being formulated? When can we expect to see in the report? The Minister is obviously aware that the programme has not been expanded since it began in the years 1994 and 1995. Does he intend to expand the Early Start programme, especially in disadvantaged areas?
I intend to produce a document on disadvantage generally. Some of the existing schemes overlap while others leave gaps. The Early Start programme will be dealt with in the context of that policy document.
