To ask the Minister of Education on what basis the Department plans the distribution of nursery places across Education and Library Board areas.

Is í aidhm an Chláir um Fhorleathnú Oideachais Réamhscoile ná oideachas réamschoile maoinithe d’ardchaighdeán a sholáthar, sa bhliain roimh oideachas éigeantach, do gach páiste a bhfuil an mhian sin ag a t(h)uismitheoirí.

The aim of the Pre-School Education Expansion Programme is to provide one year of high quality funded pre-school education, in the year before compulsory education, for every child whose parents wish it.

The Programme has been implemented by a partnership approach with funded pre-school provision available both in the statutory nursery sector and in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school settings.

In the school year 2008/09, there were 20,683 children in funded pre-school education: 14,080 in nursery schools or nursery classes in primary schools; and 6,603 in funded places in voluntary and private pre-school education centres. In addition, there were 606 children in reception classes/groups.

The capacity of each statutory setting does not generally change from year to year. The allocation of the voluntary/private places to each Education and Library Board is based on the previous year’s allocation. The allocation of places by each Board’s Pre-School Education Advisory Group is monitored by the Department and adjustments made between Boards, in year, where this proves necessary.