Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the essential requirements necessary in order to work at a general preschool; the essential requirements necessary in order to work at a preschool for children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10668/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Besides junior classes in primary schools, my Department's main role in the area of early years education encompasses targeted preschool provision for children from disadvantaged areas, for Traveller children and for those with special needs.

The Early Start preschool pilot project provides places in 40 primary schools in designated areas of urban disadvantage in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway, Drogheda and Dundalk. The teacher must be a fully qualified primary-school teacher. My Department also funds preschools for Traveller children. It is the preference of my Department for the teacher to be a fully-qualified primary school teacher. However, it is acceptable for a teacher who has restricted recognition to be appointed to the post. Restricted recognition is granted to teachers who trained outside of the State and who hold a recognised primary teacher qualification; and also to teachers with certain approved Montessori qualifications.

I wish to further advise the Deputy that in addition, my Department has sanctioned 18 preschool or early intervention units for children with autistic spectrum disorders, which are attached to mainstream schools. Again, it is the preference of my Department for the teacher to be a fully-qualified primary school teacher. However, it is acceptable for a teacher who has restricted recognition to be appointed to the post. Restricted recognition is granted to teachers who trained outside of the State and who hold a recognised primary teacher qualification; and also to teachers with certain approved Montessori qualifications.