Early Child Care Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 February 2013

Tuesday, 26 February 2013

Ceisteanna (251)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

251. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason an apparent policy is being pursued of facilitating public primary schools for extensions for early childhood care and education rooms in view of the consequent displacement of a significant number of community and private child care facilities which exist, many of which have been funded under EOCP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9900/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills

My Department does not have a policy of encouraging schools to set up pre-school services in competition with services that have been funded through the EOCP or its successor programme. If the Deputy knows of schools where this has occurred, perhaps she could bring them to my attention.