Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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416. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is funding available for early start classes in DEIS Gaelscoileanna. [37649/21]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Early Start Programme is a one-year preventative intervention pre-school scheme offered in 40 primary schools in designated disadvantaged areas. The scheme has been in operation since 1994 and can facilitate up to 1,620 children. The scheme is closed to applications from new schools. Of the 40 primary schools none are operated within Gaelscoileanna.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and my colleague, Minister Roderic O’Gorman have responsibility over the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) and Naíonraí provisions and may be able to provide further information in this regard.