Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 235: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the annual running cost of the high scope and incredible years programmes respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8727/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of the High/Scope and Incredible Years Programmes is not part of the remit of my Department and consequently is not funded on an annual basis by the Office of the Minister for Children (OMC). However, High/Scope Ireland is represented on the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee (NCCC) which, inter alia, is tasked with the development of a co-ordinated national approach to childcare provision and is under the auspices of the OMC. The teaching/care methods and approaches used in each childcare service is determined by the individual childcare provider.

High/Scope Ireland works as an advocate for children and families in both the North and South of Ireland through the dissemination of the High/Scope approach to education and human development. Over the lifetime of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006, funding was allocated to some childcare facilities where the High/Scope approach is used. In addition, a once off allocation of almost €178,000 was awarded in March 2001, to High/Scope in staffing grant assistance, under the EOCP 2000-2006, to facilitate High/Scope training for childcare providers.

The Incredible Years Programme is a universal parent, teacher and child education programme designed to prevent and treat emotional and behavioural difficulties in children aged 3-10 years. I understand that Clondalkin Area Partnership launched the Incredible Years Programme on a pilot basis in March 2003 and that since then, the Programme has been replicated by Galway City Partnership. The Health Service Executive (HSE) provided supports for the implementation of the Programme in the Partnership areas and I am also informed that Atlantic Philanthropies provided funding towards this Programme. Regarding the HSE supports provided towards the Incredible Years Programme, I have asked the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the HSE, to provide the details of these supports directly to the Deputy.