Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans to introduce State funded nationwide pre-schooling for all children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8893/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the vast majority of support for childcare, including pre-school education, is not provided by my Department, but is now provided by the Office of the Minister for Children under the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 which is the successor programme to the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme.

Investment of €575 million under the NCIP aims to create an additional 50,000 places. 10,000 of these places will be for pre-school children.

My Department's main interventions in Early Years have been targeted towards children who experience disadvantage or who have special needs. This will continue to be a priority for my Department.