§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration he has given to the introduction of an under-fives initiative in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe implementation of this objective is being carried forward in the detailed operational plans drawn up annually by the health and social services boards in the light of local needs, priorities and available resources. I have no plans to introduce a special initiative for the under-fives in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what information is available to indicate the number of mother and toddler groups in Northern Ireland and the assistance or concessions offered to them by area boards, councils, the Housing Executive and other bodies.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe extent to which health and social services boards provide financial or other support to such groups is not readily known, but some units of management do offer modest grant-aid (usually in the 327W form of launching grants) to groups operating in their districts. Both the Department of Education and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive may assist groups by the provision of spare capacity in schools and the letting of dwellings or the leasing of land at nominal rent to permit such groups to carry out their activities.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what figures are available to indicate nursery education provision in each board area.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe numbers of available places in 1987–88 are as follows:
Board Area In nursery schools In nursery classes in primary schools Totals Belfast 1,250 850 2,100 Western 500 225 725 North-Eastern 825 300 1,125 South-Eastern 750 100 850 Southern 625 725 1,350
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will provide details of the financial or other assistance given to pre-school playgroups by(a) each health and social services board and (b) each education and library board.
§ Mr. NeedhamIn addition to contacts with pre-school playgroups in connection with registration procedures required under the Children and Young Persons Act (NI) 1968, the health and social services boards provided financial assistance as follows in the year ended 31 March 1987:
£ Northern Board 75,054 Southern Board 31,361 Eastern Board 823,948 Western Board 142,837 Northern Ireland total 1,073,200 Education and library boards provide no assistance to pre-school playgroups.