Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 553: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the estimated cost of ensuring the every child will have access to affordable preschool education by 2012. [12395/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the availability of preschool places has been extended significantly in recent years under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) 2000-2006. The development of preschool is taking place within the overall child care programme. The successor to the EOCP is the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). It aims to create 10,000 more preschool places by 2010 and has an overall budget of €500 million. Responsibility for the NCIP lies with the Minister for Children. There are also a number of Department of Education and Science funded preschool interventions in the areas of disadvantage and special needs, which will continue to be a priority for my Department.