Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to follow up on a point made by my colleague, Senator Power, on early years education. Could the Minister clarify what the working group she is to establish will do and what its timeline is?

What plans does the Minister have specifically on supporting quality and curriculum roll-out at preschool level? Does she believe more resources will be required for the area next year? I believe approximately 20 Aistear co-ordinators were sent out recently to implement the Aistear curriculum at preschool level across all preschools. That is the sum extent of what the Department is currently doing to ensure a curriculum is being taught and staff are trained in how to teach it at preschool level. It is just skimming the surface and will not have an impact or address the serious issues that arise.

On the minor works grant and the summer works scheme money was not set aside last year in the Estimates or in the-----