Tony Gregory (Dublin Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 314: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of schools and their location where the early start initiative is in place; and when she intends to extend the scheme to other schools. [39516/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The early start preschool project was established in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk during 1994 and 1995. There are 1,680 places in these centres.

The new action plan for educational inclusion will address the educational needs of children and young people from disadvantaged communities, from preschool to completion of upper second level education, that is, from three to 18 years. The plan includes a commitment to access to early childhood education for children who will be attending primary schools serving the most disadvantaged communities.

My Department will work in partnership with other Departments and agencies to complement and add value to existing child care programmes in disadvantaged communities, with a view to ensuring that the overall care and education needs of the children concerned are met in an integrated manner. The Department's particular contribution will be to provide funding or part-funding for the educational dimension of provision where new places are involved, supporting the further development of an educational dimension in the case of existing child care provision.