Preschool Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2013

Thursday, 7 March 2013

Ceisteanna (30)

Michelle Mulherin

Ceist:

30. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for his apparent policy of facilitating public primary schools for extensions in respect of early childhood care and education rooms in view of the consequent displacement of a significant number of community and private childcare facilities which exist, many of which have been funded under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11764/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Ruairí Quinn)

As already indicated to the Deputy in response to her question on 25th February last, my Department does not have a policy of encouraging schools to set up preschool 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.