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Preschool Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 June 2013

Wednesday, 12 June 2013

Questions (198)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

198. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in Dublin currently availing of the free preschool year; and the number of children availing of the scheme in each year since the establishment of the scheme. [28344/13]

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Written answers

The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining this universal programme.

Approximately 53,000 children, or 83% of the eligible cohort, availed of the programme in the first "short year". In 2010/2011, the first full year of the programme, in the region of 63,000 children, that is approximately 94% of the eligible cohort, availed of the free pre-school provision. In 2011/2012, approximately 66,000, or 94% of the eligible cohort, availed of the programme. In the current pre-school year, 2012/2013, approximately 68,000 children, or 95% of the eligible cohort, are participating in the free pre-school year.

17,151 children are currently availing of the free pre-school year in Dublin.

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