Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 454: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether addressing early childhood development is essential for tackling inequalities in education and that closing the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education will negatively affect the potential educational development of young children here; the saving to the Exchequer by closing the CECDE; his proposals for the replacement of the functions of the CECDE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33346/08]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Tackling inequalities in Education is a multi faceted problem which requires a multi-faceted approach. I do not consider that addressing early childhood development requirements is in itself sufficient to solve the problems of inequalities in Education. Internationally, it has been shown that successful enrichment programmes like the Perry Preschool programme in the US, foster long-term improvements in the home environment that carry over to the child long after the pre-school programme has ended. The influence of the home environment on the life chances of our children cannot be under-estimated. Our constitution recognises that the 'primary and natural educator of the child is the Family' and in our society, the majority of pre-school children are cared for at home whether by parents or guardians, other relatives or paid childcare. Data, drawn from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) module on Childcare, shows that in almost 60% of families, parents or guardians of pre-school children are still the main carers during the normal working day. The supports my Government has provided for families include the Early Childcare Supplement and improved Maternity leave and Maternity benefit. My own Department has put a range of support measures in place, including the Home School Community Liaison scheme, in recognition of the importance of supporting parents with their child-rearing responsibilities.

In my decision to close the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education, I took into account the successful fulfilment of the remit of the CECDE and the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. This Office brings together policy makers from different Government Departments to ensure consistency in policy-making and policy implementation for children and is, I believe, better placed to deliver on the implementation of a National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education than a separate agency. I certainly do not consider that the closure of the CECDE will adversely affect children's life chances.

The annual cost to the exchequer of funding the CECDE is in the region of €1 million.

As the CECDE had effectively delivered on its remit, the implementation phase of the National Quality Framework will be led by a central Government Department. It is hoped that up to two contract posts will be established to progress quality provision in Early Childhood Education.